Comment by Charles Ward チャーリー

November 15, 2007 @ 11:25 pm

First time listening to your show. Really helps my effort to understand J politics. I’m taking action to protect, promote, enforce Article 9. Please check out my HP and look out for my new book coming out next month “チャーリーです　地球人です”. I would like to hear from you. I would love to come on the show and spill my guts about Article 9 and whats happening and not happening on the grass roots level - in english - for a change. I tend to do what I do in Japanese all the time. Great show, keep it factual, brief, regular, detailed. Good on ya!

Comment by Evan Bevvin

November 16, 2007 @ 10:43 am

Charlie, I guess the TPR guys know who you are, but, for the rest of us, what exactly do you on behalf of Article 9? Couldn’t find much detail on your site.

Comment by Croce

November 16, 2007 @ 8:43 pm

I always assumed that Japan was a mature country and was able to make decisions about issues like what to do about its own constitution without interference from foreigners. I hate to use the word cultural imperialism, but that’s the whiff I’m sniffing.

Comment by DeOrio

November 17, 2007 @ 9:28 am

That might be a bit strong, Croce. No need to get hostile. What Japan does with Japan’s laws is up to Japan, but there’s no reason foreigners shouldn’t take an interest.

Let’s change the subject. What do you guys think about the possibility of a censure vote? Worse for the DPJ or the LDP? Is Aso going to come back onto our TVs after finding a way to use this discord to further his aims?

Comment by Ken

November 17, 2007 @ 5:28 pm

1) With regards to Croce’s comment: If you’re a taxpayer, you have a say.

2) Given that the “Ozawa Incident” is already over and forgotten, and it’s the troubles with Moriya and now Nukaga that have stayed in the news, I think if the DPJ plays it right and public sentiment is on their side, a censure motion would work in their favor.

They need to ensure that the public is on their side with this issue, block it in the Upper House, and see if the LDP will take the bait. If the public is behind them, a DPJ censure motion should play out to their advantage.

Comment by helical

November 20, 2007 @ 3:13 am

Ken, wouldn’t it be more accurate that you get a say if you are a citizen? I’ve always regarded taxes as a fee of sorts for public services more than my entitlement for having a voice in deciding policy.

Comment by DeOrio

November 20, 2007 @ 9:21 am

If you’re a citizen, you get a vote, but that’s different from having a say (and in fact, in some areas, permanent residents have been allowed to vote in local elections, which really ought to be the case everywhere.) Even if taxes are simply a fee for public services, it is surely well within the rights of anyone, especially one paying taxes, to voice an opinion or engage in any legal activity to promote his point of view on the proper conduct of the government he helps to fund without being accused of “cultural imperialism.”

Comment by Charles Ward チャーリー

November 21, 2007 @ 8:15 pm

Well, looks like the discussion kicked off nicely. Thanks Ken and Deorio for your view points.

Cultural Imperialism, its the first time I have heard of it… in fact there is a great deal I don’t know. Specially with regards to Japanese politics. I knew about article 9 before comming to Japan, its one of the reason I came. I want to live in a country that doesn’t take part war. Where do you live? Is there such a constitution in your country? Wouldn’t you like to also have Article 9? Would it be classes as Cultural Theft?

The interesting thing about the cultural imperialism brings me to tell you about my new book. The title “CHARLIE DESU, CHIKYU JIN DESU” (Charlie, World Person (about the best translation I can find)) is the main theme of the book. You can look at it from many angles but I guess what I want to say is that there is only one world, and we are all the same in that we are unique and have the same rights to happiness.

Thanks EVAN BEVVIN for you comment I will update my HP so that people can find out more about what I did with respect to Article 9. For now try this link http://www.ex1st.com/kyu/kyucharlie.php or read the article on the Japan Times here http://www.flickr.com/photos/1manjapan/493376864/

The question: what exactly do you on behalf of Article 9? might also be on the mind of the TPR people too. I rode my bike from Okinawa to Nagano (after cycling from Nagano to Hokkaido and to Okinawa) and gave out 5000 origami birds (no, not the crane) called Kyu Chan to people on the street and asked them about Article 9. So thats 5000 people! I also gave speeches at over 50 gathering, big and small. I got on TV and in the newspapers… and now I’m publishing a book about it all. The book is another way to reach people who might not know about Article 9 in a friendly and interesting way.

(Many books on Article 9 wont interest people who dont know what Article 9 is. Also, they are often too heavy!)

I also sell origami, Kyu Chan’s own. But you dont need to buy the 100 yen pack with intructions and 20 sheets of paper… to tell your friends about Article 9. But how many people feel confortable in Japan about talking to their friends about “political stuff”. Not many, so Kyu Chan is a away to start the conversation. Its an unusula flapping origami that NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW IN JAPAN - surprisingly. So its nice when Kyu Chan makes people smile. That is also a small peace activity right there.

So why do I want Japan to keep Article 9? Its not just an issue I feel is important, its not just a Japanese issue - its a world issue. If you want to present an idea like Article 9 to the rest of the world - it would be a shame if Japan loses it. Keeping Article 9 is only the start. My next trip will be a round the world bicycle trip to promote Article 9 to children, parents, politicians that havent even heard of it. Its only the people who will make their governments do what they want them to do. Follow me on the adventure!

LOVE C:

Comment by Urusai Gaijin

November 21, 2007 @ 8:32 pm

I think Ken hit the nail on the head re:Ozawa and the censure. It really hinges on how the public feels about the bill. Fukuda has played his cards right by acting concilliatory, and if Ozawa continues to fall for the trap and comes out looking obstructionist, then the DPJ will suffer as a result. On the other hand, if the public really doesn’t like the bill, Ozawa can cast himself as the people’s champion.

On a side note, I’d just like to add to what was said in the broadcast about the US supporting Japan’s bid for a UNSC seat. Someone (sorry, I don’t know who–this is only the second show I’ve listened to) said that “it’s a change in language,” which is true, but it’s just that–language. Paying lip-service to Japan’s quest for a permanent seat on the Security Council is a small price to pay for the US because they know it’s never going to happen. The other members, especially China, would veto any attempt to bring Japan in.