Meanwhile Kaoru Yosano, the new economy minister with a clear sense of what needs to be done to overhaul the country's finances in the face of an ageing population, was ordered to cobble together a fiscal-stimulus package in response to panicky (and probably unfounded) fears that the economy was tipping into a deep recession again.

ECONOMIST: Japan

The entire civilian population of the village was ordered to leave in December 1943 to provide a training area for American troops preparing for the invasion of Europe during World War II.

BBC: Imber village abandoned during World War II opens to public

The authorities ordered the evacuation of the town's entire population, estimated at some 100, 000 people, as firefighters battled to bring the flames under control.

ECONOMIST: Turkey, flattened and in shock

It has not been decided whether the rest of the population will then be immunised, although the government has ordered enough vaccine to do so.

BBC: Deal 'close' over swine flu jabs