Japan's new leader faces energy gap

摘要

Yoshihiko Noda, Japan's new prime minister, has a daunting in-tray to deal with: a faltering economy, a huge reconstruction effort following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March, and an ongoing nuclear emergency at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. Elected on 29 August after Naoto Kan's resignation last week as leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan,Noda must also contend with the threat of a complete vacuum where the country's energy policy should be.