Hopeful Signs for PM
In a reversal of a half-year trend, the approval ratings of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and the governing LDP improved slightly in July, while that of the opposition DPJ fell marginally. Growing public frustration at the DPJ's truculence in parliament was sited as the main factor in the shift, as the work of the Diet slowed considerably over the previous year. Meanwhile, the forthcoming budget will likely see tighter fiscal policy and no tax increases apart from one designed to combat climate change. GDP is forecast at 0.9% this year amid tepid inflationary pressures. More…