Koizumi achieves clear election victory

But Mr Koizumi's continuing rise is likely to cause concern amongst Japan's neighbours. Many in China and South Korea see him as a hawkish nationalist, insensitive to the pain caused by Japan's military history and eager to see Japan expand its role on the world stage.

Vocabulary:

domestic issues : issues of concern within a country (here, Japan)

landmark economic reforms : important changes to the laws and systems concerned with money, industry and trade

decisive: clear

far-reaching: affect a great many people (here, ‘the consequences’, or the effects, of the election result will be ‘far-reaching’)

where power is usually diluted by the check and balance of rival factions and coalition politics : where power is usually made weaker by the influence of competing political groups and political groups who are working together to achieve their aims

fulfilled his promise : done what he said he would do

broaden the public appeal : here, widen, or increase, the attractiveness (of the Liberal Democratic Party) to all the people in Japan

out of touch : not aware of the current situation and recent changes

charismatic: attractive, inspiring