There's a Rising Sun for Japanese Stocks

Promises from politicians are common and easily shrugged off, but investment pitches from the leader of the world's second-largest economy stand out, especially when they're on international cable television.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has gone nationwide in the U.S. with a campaign that asks a question that mutual fund investors may find has a satisfying answer.

"We have all you need for success," he says at the end of the new commercial. "Why don't you join us? Invest in Japan." ...