Despite years of post-war prosperity, Japan is at a crossroads. The Kobe earthquake of 1995 not only revealed structural weaknesses, but also political ones, with the government's response to the earthquake heavily criticised. "We've been on the auto-pilot because of the past success", says author Kenichi Ohmae, "That has now peeled off and now we see the real country called Japan. And it is a huge turbulence. Without a real leadership, the pilot, this country cannot soft land." Ichirō Ozawa, who advocated for Japan's military involvement abroad and published a four point plan for Japan's future, seems like a viable leader, yet the country's youth still remains sceptical of politicians' power to tackle the country's major problems. ABC Australia profiles Ozawa and the country he aims to change for the better.

Produced by ABC Australia