In response to John's comment:

"Minno Monta said this morning that Japan can't get out from under all this without an Iron Lady.
Presumably some Japanese Mrs. Thatcher would just dismantle the pensions system altogether..."

Perhaps Renho can be Japan's Iron Lady. She certainly acts like it [some would say even looks like it], and you get the impression that she just loved her job cutting bureaucrats' budgets during the 'jigyou shiwake' hearings.
However, according to a report in a Chinese newspaper in Hong Kong (as told to me by my acupuncturist), she may have to live down the cloud that she is currently under, which resulted in her removal from Noda's cabinet. I've seen no report of these matters in any Japanese newspaper, however. Anyone care to elaborate?

Best wishes,

Aurelia George Mulgan
UNSW, Canberra