Now that he has made his intentions official, Shinzo Abe looks almost certain to be chosen by his fellow Liberal Democratic party members as Japan's 29th prime minister since the second world war. In less than three weeks, he is likely to inherit leadership of a country with improving prospects but some daunting challenges.

Many Japanese, and indeed much of the world, believe that Junichiro Koizumi, the outgoing prime minister, has been good for Japan and its image abroad. But they are generally hard pressed to give specifics. What, exactly, has Mr Koizumi done?