Crisis could make or break PM

THE catastrophe that has engulfed Japan could also make or break its prime minister, Naoto Kan.

Yesterday he announced that he was personally taking control of crisis management at the Tokyo Electric Power Company, the operator of the damaged nuclear power plant that is spewing radiation.

The company is notorious for an instinct to cover up nuclear problems, and Mr Kan’s action — along with the frequency of his government’s updates — shows greater willingness than previous administrations to be up front with the public.