Japan’s latest PM vows to rebuild country

JAPAN’S premier-designate Yoshihiko Noda has vowed to provide a safe pair of hands in rebuilding the country from its tsunami-nuclear disasters after he was elected the ruling party chief.

The low-key, business-friendly finance minister is set to be confirmed as prime minister by parliament today, replacing the unpopular Naoto Kan to become the debt-laden nation’s sixth leader in five years.

Known as a fiscal hawk, 54-year-old Noda has described himself as an ordinary man and pledged a moderate politics, while also promising to unite his divided Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). Likening himself to a modest marine creature rather than a charismatic political star, Noda said in a final campaign appeal to DPJ lawmakers yesterday: “I am a loach. I can’t be a goldfish.”