The question now is whether Mr. Kan, a plain-spoken former civic activist, can further defy precedent by lasting more than a year in office.

目前的问题是，菅直人先生，这位直来直去的前民间活动家，是否能打破惯例，在首相的位置上待上一年。

youdao

Now, at least, Mr Kan can claim to have the upper hand.

现在至少菅先生能声称自己占上风。

youdao

“Our nation should aim to become a society that can manage fine without nuclear power,” Mr Kan said on Wednesday.

菅直人周三表示：“我们的国家应致力于打造一个不需要核电也能正常运转的社会。”

youdao

It is now questionable that PM Kan can get his budget proposal through both houses of the Diet.

FORBES: The LDP's "Shadow" Budget Priorities

Mr Kan can expect to take credit for the DPJ's doing less disastrously than expected in elections for the upper house of the Diet (parliament) next month.

ECONOMIST: Banyan

Mr Kan can play his part, by using this summer's leadership contest to move his party towards the reformist centre, where it has most chance of finding common cause with the opposition (see article).

ECONOMIST: Governing Japan