Lumbered for months with an unpopular leader, the Japanese are at last on track to get the prime minister of their dreams - at least in a television drama. In “Change,” one of Japan's best-loved actors plays a tousle-haired teacher turned reformist politician, reviving memories of former premier Junichiro Koizumi, even as media speculate the popular maverick might stage a comeback. If Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda was watching the first episode this week, he may have found it an uncomfortable reminder of his own failure to capture voters' hearts. Koizumi, who stepped down in September 2006, has resurfaced this month in domestic newspapers with a series of interviews about his new book, “Musical Wanderings,” a memoir of his enthusiasm for music ranging from opera to Japanese pop. Whoever takes over from the dour 71-year-old Fukuda could take tips on popularity from actor Takuya Kimura, about to become TV's latest fictional prime minister.
