It's hard to see beyond the image that has been carefully constructed (as all public figures require), but in the 12 years since moving to Japan I have done not

It's hard to see beyond the image that has been carefully constructed (as all public figures require), but in the 12 years since moving to Japan I have done nothing but gain more and more respect for the man. He's had to deal with exceptionally difficult politics and he largely seems to have been successful all the while not seeming to be intruding on the democratically elected government. I hope his legacy will continue, but I suspect he will be an incredibly hard act to follow.