Japanese Prime Minister Mr Junichiro Koizumi was re-elected for a second term this morning at the start of a brief parliamentary session expected to be dominated by the touchy subject of when to send non-combat troops to Iraq.
Mr Koizumi, who took office in April 2001, was elected by parliament's powerful Lower House, where his coalition retained its majority in a November 9th election that also saw the main opposition Democratic Party increase its presence substantially.
He was expected to reappoint all the members of his cabinet, who formally resigned earlier today ahead of the vote.