Postal power swings Japan's election debate

9th Sep 2005, 23:53 GMT

Dressed in the standard salary-man uniform of dark suit, tie and shiny black shoes, Yasuo Tokuoka does not look much like the minor aristocrat he is. The fifth in his family to hold the title of postmaster in a tradition going back more than one hundred years, Mr Tokuoka is as respected as a mayor or parish priest and runs one of the busiest institutions in town.