Comment by Mary Sayre

November 4, 2006 @ 2:03 pm

You are so much more at ease with each other and it is very pleasant to listen to. I really am interested in the Japan culture problems thata are hcppening in other cultures. Here in America the bullying is a problem but more the gangs and fights and even firearms are causing problems. The discussion on Korea are so current and we don’t get the views of happenings so close to you. Keep it up.

Comment by DeOrio

November 4, 2006 @ 4:36 pm

Thanks for the kind words. It’s nice to hear that we’re fulfilling our mission: filling the gaps in English coverage of the country and the region.
I think you’re right that there are similarities between the cultural problems in Japanese and American schools. Here it seems that a lot of bullying is condoned, there’s just hand-wringing when it goes to far and kids wind up dead. In America, the bullying and violence are not condoned and there’s still plenty of hand-wrining, but it seems that the people who really have the power to do something, to give teachers the support they need, are more concerned with talking tough and making vague proposals than with doing what they know needs to be done.

Comment by John Sheridan

November 7, 2006 @ 2:43 am

So…the idea is that what Kim Jong Il is doing is letting Japan get away with breaking away from its ‘pacifist’ stance? I don’t know - is the Japanese public in on this. Not that they really have a choice, but I wonder if they’ll be willing to be spoon fed over this as well.

Maybe it’s part of Kim’s plan. He must know that his actions will lead Japan on a path that will start scaring the rest of Asia and perhaps isolate Japan and make it look like the bad guy…

Comment by Ken Worsley

November 7, 2006 @ 11:02 am

John, I think North Korea’s been playing the wedge for a long time. It’s one of their favorite stratigies. They don’t like to see things like Abe visiting China and the ROK to mend ties. I don’t know savvy they are with regard to the Japanese public sentiment, but I’m willing to bet they have a very good idea of what it is, and that it can be easily manipulated by the government. People might not like to hear it, but one thing we’ve learned in the post 9/11 era is how sheepish the electorate in the developed world truly is - willing to listen to governmental ‘warnings’ and trade their own principles and beliefs for what only serves to further the agenda of the ruling elite.

The ‘Pacifist Japan’ or ‘Peaceful Japan’ or ‘Safe Japan’ tropes were invented by the government after the war and fly in the face of the reality of thousands of years of Japanese history. They can be dismantled just as quickly, should the government find it expedient to do so.

After all, it’s not like they’re going to get voted out of power any time soon.

Comment by Adamu

November 7, 2006 @ 12:44 pm

You might have noticed that Abe did kind of “come out” about Article 9 in a Nov 2 interview with the Financial Times. The major newspapers picked up on it and noted that the likely process to revise the constitution will take about 5 years, picking up steam in Abe’s as-yet-unconfirmed second term. That is of course provided there can be some agreement on a referendum law.

Comment by DeOrio

November 7, 2006 @ 3:11 pm

We noticed.
I’d say he more than “kind of” came out. I can definitely believe that there will be a revision within five years - the momentum seems to be there, Abe and his supporters have long supported such a revision and a more assertive foreign policy, the LDP has the numbers in the Diet to do it, and, whether organically or with government prodding (probably both), public opinion seems to favor some sort of reassessment at the least.
How the referendum plays out is the X factor, but I think this push will reach that stage sooner rather than later.

Comment by Ken Worsley

November 7, 2006 @ 4:01 pm

Adamu,

Good point. But, what do you think of the relevancy of Abe’s ’second term’? I don’t see a much less conservative successor coming in, given North Korea’s actions, the mood that’s set up in Japan, and the recent comments from cabinet members. Aside from the question of whether constitutional reform is a good thing or not, what I’m wondering is if Abe will even be necessary to see it through.

Maybe we should just start taking bets now on who’s the next PM…

Comment by DeOrio

November 7, 2006 @ 4:32 pm

Mori Yoshiro makes a comeback!
(I’m just looking for the really lucky big win on odds.)

Comment by Ken

November 7, 2006 @ 4:57 pm

Mori? I’ll give you 500:1 odds on that.

Nakasone has a better chance at a comeback.

Comment by DeOrio

November 7, 2006 @ 6:59 pm

See 500:1! Odds so bad, they’re good. I bet one yen. If I lose, I don’t notice. If I win, I get a bottle of cheap shochu to get me started on dealing with another Mori kantei.

Comment by DeOrio

November 7, 2006 @ 7:05 pm

Wait, no. Mori lasted a year and three weeks. How much hooch is that?
At the time that Abe won the LDP presidency, I thought Aso was being groomed for the position, but I just don’t see it. He doesn’t seem to be all buddy-buddy with Abe, which is often a sign of who’s next. I also Aso’s too old and too associated with all the warts of the fading old guard. It’s too soon to say.
Adamu, Ken, John, what do you guys think?

Comment by Ken Worsley

November 9, 2006 @ 3:54 pm

No on Aso. Too confrontational in general, and he talks like a yak. If Abe lasts more than a year, no way. That will give Aso enough time to screw things up so badly at the foreign ministry that he’ll lose support.

Comment by DeOrio

November 9, 2006 @ 4:40 pm

I take exception to that, Ken. A few years ago, I went up into the Karakoram Range, near the border of China and Tajikistan, and had the opportunity to meet a few yaks. While not particularly nice-smelling, not one of them shot off at the mouth, insulting all of the neighboring countries. In fact, they largely seemed able to keep their mouths shut.
I knew yaks, I walked with yaks, and Aso Taro, sir, is no yak.

Comment by John Sheridan

November 9, 2006 @ 9:31 pm

From what I can tell, the guy’s just a dick, not to mention small. I’m not sure why anyone has any respect for him, given the giant chip of insecurity on his shoulder.

Comment by DeOrio

November 10, 2006 @ 9:27 am

Aso gets respect because he has clout. Just as people who spout vitriol against George Bush would scrub the toilet to a shine before he was welcomed into their homes, people might groan to hear Aso speak, but he’s a powerful man from a powerful line (nevermind the slave labor that helped build the family’s wealth and influence.) It’s not admirable, but people are awed by wealth and power far more reliably than they are by strength of character or ideas.
On top of that, sadly, some people really agree with him; others know his name and face and not much more about him. Recognition trumps all else in politics.

Comment by Brendan Beal

November 21, 2006 @ 10:57 am

Hello Garrett! I recently found this podcast website and have listened to a few already. This particular one was my favorite so far. Even though I’m not that political-minded (especially regarding international issues) I still loved hearing you guys go back and forth. Humorous but well-informed at the same time. Well done!

Comment by DeOrio

November 21, 2006 @ 5:49 pm

Thanks, Bren. I hope you’ll continue to listen. 9 out of 10 homeopaths agree that listening to Seijigiri may lead to increased opportunity for improved intelligence, so you should probably subscribe. Come back again soon and let us know what you think.