Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba overcame his first major hurdle in parliament as head of a minority government but his political fortunes hinge on whether his projected image as a leader who listens and works across party lines can translate into higher public support.The coming year will be no easier, if Ishiba wants to beat the odds and go against the conventional wisdom that a minority government tends to be short-lived. For his part, the prime minister will want to end the negative spiral of public discontent before Japan holds a key election for the House of Councillors next summer.Seeki…READ FULL ARTICLE
