He also has a powerful sponsor, Heizo Takenaka, the economics and financial-services minister.

ECONOMIST: The Bank of Japan

Heizo Takenaka, the new economics minister, is sitting on one figure.

ECONOMIST: Junichiro Koizumi needs to give more details

Shiokawa seems a uninspiring choice in comparison to his colourful colleagues in the new cabinet, including Mr Koizumi or Economics Minister Heizo Takenaka, both of whom appear frequently on television.

BBC: Japan's new economic team