Japan fumbles to choose 6th PM

The five candidates vying to become Japan's next prime minister promised on Sunday to resolve the country's nuclear crisis and revive its battered economy, amid widespread public cynicism about a revolving door of leaders.

The five candidates vying to become Japan's next prime minister promised on Sunday to resolve the country's nuclear crisis and revive its battered economy, amid widespread public cynicism about a revolving door of leaders.

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Japan, which is set to see its sixth PM in five years, has fumbled recently to find leadership to tackle formidable challenges, including recovery from a massive earthquake and tsunami in March and the battle to bring a nuclear power plant sent into meltdown by the disasters under control A debate on Sunday among the candidates was not carried live on any of the major TV networks. "In Japan these days, a PM who lasts even one year is a miracle," said Minoru Morita, who has written several books on Japanese politics.