Junichiro Koizumi, the Japanese prime minister, has conducted a skilful campaign since calling a snap election for September 11. Following the rebellion in the ruling Liberal Democratic party over his plans to privatise the post office, he has kept voters' attention relentlessly focused on himself and his attempts to reform the LDP and Japan Post, the world's biggest financial ­institution.

In the staid world of Japanese politics, the methods are new - MrKoizumi has deployed high-profile women candidates, known as "assassins", to challenge the LDP rebels at the polls - and the results spectacular.