Japan's newest prime minister, Naoto Kan, has stepped into a role left vacant when Yukio Hatoyama resigned days ago — becoming the fourth Japanese leader in as many years to give up the office. Naoto Kan's next task is to name a cabinet that will assist him in efforts to deal with a crushing sovereign debt, falling consumer prices and the need to rejuvenate the economy. Japan's population is aging and shrinking — factors that weigh heavily on government efforts to maintain economic growth.
