Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Friday, September 24, 2010
Twitter reports
that Japan has released the captain of the Chinese boat involved in the Senkaku dispute. Ohh, this does not look good for domestic politics, I fear.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
日本茶党, birthers, and the Oz Lady.
Yes, 茶党, not 茶道*。
And here I thought the Tea Party and the Birthers were some sort of "Only in America" thing. But on the day of PM Kan's victory over Ozawa, I was chatting with my old friend and ex-tutor whom I shall refer to as the Oz Lady as that fits both her name and her interesting ideas.
Claiming to speak no English--which, of course is not exactly true but very close in her case---she only knows what she reads in Japanese---or hears via the rumor mill. She has some strong political opinions, many of which have to do with the threat of foreigners to Japan. She once asked me about non-citizens' ability to vote in the US (the US is only standard that counts) before going into a mini-rant about the DPJs proposal to let non-citizens vote in local elections. (Her teaching experiences have not reduced her fear of foreigners although she does not dislike non-Japanese people---only the abstract idea of resident foreigners plotting to harm Japan). She has expressed concern about the rightwing's claim that the US would not defend Japan in case of attack, but would somehow instantly pull its troops out and abandon the country in the midst of it all. She also wants a strong Japan that can say no to any country without any repercussions. Naturally, China is a huge threat to Japan, as are those hidden "panda-huggers" in the Japanese government who are handing the country to China.
You would never know or suspect her true beliefs if you did not know her quite well. She seems like a somewhat typical mid-30s gal from the hills of Nagano who is not a member of the college educated white collar workforce. This is what makes her interesting---more interesting in a way than many of the folks I speak with. I like to believe her thoughts represent a different group, although they may only represent her.
In a discussion of the Kan/Ozawa contest, she seemed pleased when I told her that Kan had won. Then she asked me about US politics and if a naturalized US citizen could become president. When I said no, she asked about members of Congress. Naively believing she was actually interested in US politics, I went into an overly detailed answer to a question that she cared not a whit about anyway. It turns out that she was only asking about the US so that she could establish where Japan stood in relation to The Gold Standard of the Universe.
She let me in on a secret. Neither Kan nor Ozawa are Japanese! It seems both are naturalized Japanese citizens with Kan being Korean and Ozawa being Chinese (or visa versa, I was so surprised to hear her say this, I forget which is which). Not only did she say that with a straight face, she was obviously angry about it. Either would sell the country to China, she said, without explaining why a Korean would do so.
We soon moved on in our chat, but I must say that I was disappointed after our conversation. Extreme goofiness is neither an Only in America phenomenon nor something uniquely Japanese.
Anyway, I am still trying to absorb the fact that several years ago she looked at me with her "black eyes" and informed me that I have red hair. All my life, people had lied to me and said it was brown. How could a southern barbarian have anything but red hair?
This is meant not to disparage her. She just gets some interesting ideas from somewhere. I grew up with folks like her...
*Humor, or what must pass for it. 茶道 generally means tea ceremony (the way of tea), but 茶党 would mean Tea Party if it were a real word.
And here I thought the Tea Party and the Birthers were some sort of "Only in America" thing. But on the day of PM Kan's victory over Ozawa, I was chatting with my old friend and ex-tutor whom I shall refer to as the Oz Lady as that fits both her name and her interesting ideas.
Claiming to speak no English--which, of course is not exactly true but very close in her case---she only knows what she reads in Japanese---or hears via the rumor mill. She has some strong political opinions, many of which have to do with the threat of foreigners to Japan. She once asked me about non-citizens' ability to vote in the US (the US is only standard that counts) before going into a mini-rant about the DPJs proposal to let non-citizens vote in local elections. (Her teaching experiences have not reduced her fear of foreigners although she does not dislike non-Japanese people---only the abstract idea of resident foreigners plotting to harm Japan). She has expressed concern about the rightwing's claim that the US would not defend Japan in case of attack, but would somehow instantly pull its troops out and abandon the country in the midst of it all. She also wants a strong Japan that can say no to any country without any repercussions. Naturally, China is a huge threat to Japan, as are those hidden "panda-huggers" in the Japanese government who are handing the country to China.
You would never know or suspect her true beliefs if you did not know her quite well. She seems like a somewhat typical mid-30s gal from the hills of Nagano who is not a member of the college educated white collar workforce. This is what makes her interesting---more interesting in a way than many of the folks I speak with. I like to believe her thoughts represent a different group, although they may only represent her.
In a discussion of the Kan/Ozawa contest, she seemed pleased when I told her that Kan had won. Then she asked me about US politics and if a naturalized US citizen could become president. When I said no, she asked about members of Congress. Naively believing she was actually interested in US politics, I went into an overly detailed answer to a question that she cared not a whit about anyway. It turns out that she was only asking about the US so that she could establish where Japan stood in relation to The Gold Standard of the Universe.
She let me in on a secret. Neither Kan nor Ozawa are Japanese! It seems both are naturalized Japanese citizens with Kan being Korean and Ozawa being Chinese (or visa versa, I was so surprised to hear her say this, I forget which is which). Not only did she say that with a straight face, she was obviously angry about it. Either would sell the country to China, she said, without explaining why a Korean would do so.
We soon moved on in our chat, but I must say that I was disappointed after our conversation. Extreme goofiness is neither an Only in America phenomenon nor something uniquely Japanese.
Anyway, I am still trying to absorb the fact that several years ago she looked at me with her "black eyes" and informed me that I have red hair. All my life, people had lied to me and said it was brown. How could a southern barbarian have anything but red hair?
This is meant not to disparage her. She just gets some interesting ideas from somewhere. I grew up with folks like her...
*Humor, or what must pass for it. 茶道 generally means tea ceremony (the way of tea), but 茶党 would mean Tea Party if it were a real word.
Friday, September 03, 2010
"Andy Warhol politics"
The Pink Paper pretty much nailed the feeling, if not the reality, of what Gerald Curtis called a creative destruction era of Japanese politics (I do wonder though, what is creative about it?) and the revolving-door prime ministership:
The situation is so dire that Japan – still one of the most prosperous and technologically advanced economies in the world – is now routinely underestimated... ...Perhaps more alarmingly, many of its own people seem resigned to being second best. Financial Times
Some of the folks I talk to believe that second best is unrealistically optimistic (edited to add: meaning that the sense of resignation is very real.)
Blogger spell check does not recognize prime ministership as a word. It does suggest however, ministers-hip.
The situation is so dire that Japan – still one of the most prosperous and technologically advanced economies in the world – is now routinely underestimated... ...Perhaps more alarmingly, many of its own people seem resigned to being second best. Financial Times
Some of the folks I talk to believe that second best is unrealistically optimistic (edited to add: meaning that the sense of resignation is very real.)
Blogger spell check does not recognize prime ministership as a word. It does suggest however, ministers-hip.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
In a nutshell
The most succinct, accurate analysis of Japan politics I've seen in a while. Quoted from a Martin Fackler article in the NYT, of all things.
“Something ended when the L.D.P. lost,” said Koji Kubota, 74, a retired post office worker who listened on a recent afternoon to a candidate’s stump speech, “but no one is sure what comes next.”
Gerald Curtis notes in the same article that this is "a period of creative destruction and the destructive phase is not yet over."
“Something ended when the L.D.P. lost,” said Koji Kubota, 74, a retired post office worker who listened on a recent afternoon to a candidate’s stump speech, “but no one is sure what comes next.”
Gerald Curtis notes in the same article that this is "a period of creative destruction and the destructive phase is not yet over."
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Consumer (non)protection
From March 6 NYT article:
Her car surged forward nearly 3,000 feet before slamming into a Mercedes Benz and a taxi, injuring drivers in both those vehicles...
Her car surged forward nearly 3,000 feet before slamming into a Mercedes Benz and a taxi, injuring drivers in both those vehicles...
As shaken as she was by the accident, Mrs. Sakai says she was even more surprised by what happened after. She says that Toyota — from her dealer to headquarters — has not responded to her inquiries, and Japanese authorities have been indifferent to her concerns as a consumer.
Mrs. Sakai says the Tokyo Metropolitan Police urged her to sign a statement saying that she pressed the accelerator by mistake...
...and the Koban sitters would not return her car unless she did. They are now claiming it was all a misunderstanding and that they needed the car for their "investigation." All auto accidents are investigated in a "fair and transparent way," they said.
Transparent? The Tokyo Metropolitan Police? If they say so, it must be true 'cause they wouldn't lie about anything.
Later in the article a Toyota spokesfool said that the accidents related to sudden accelerations in Toyotas in Japan were not a problem with the cars.
Oh, yes. It's the stupid drivers. Apparently, Toyota has only been selling cars with this defect overseas.
The article concerns the present lack of consumer protection/rights in Japan and the until recent lack of a government consumer protection agency. Were Ralph Nader in Japan, he might been cooling his heels in the hoosegow.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Lots of idiots around...or is it just me?
Over the last few days there have been some stirrings about the DPJ possibly, maybe, perhaps opening discussion on raising the consumption tax. Of course PM Hatoyama countered Nutty Natto Kan with his version of "Read my lips, no consumption tax increase. We are just going to start talking about it during a recession to boost the economy. We'll let the voters decide although I am not going to increase it anyway maybe for sure."
I'm cool with this. Only a bunch of lunatics would try to run a country forever with promises of no new taxes except on the other guy, while spending the money of future generations for everything except filling in potholes in roads and in society because for one reason or another, deficits don't matter. But this is not about the USA.
Really, the DPJ has been trying its best to right the economy they inherited from the LDP. One of the things that impressed me is how the wasteful practice of moving large quantities of earth from one spot to another for no useful purpose seems to have decreased under the new government. I have no stats, but that's just an impression from my somewhat less frequent cycling workouts along the Tamagawa. Mud-moving projects have noticeably decreased in size if not quantity since the autumn.
Perhaps, however, the money was shifted elsewhere. Every day, on the walk from my Mansion to Denenchofu station, I get to pass through the now 2 (or 3?) year old water line project which makes the street nearly impassible for humans and autos. As on construction projects everywhere, there seem to be about 5 people standing around and "supervising" for each person who is actually working. But what makes this a great economic stimulus is that not only do we get to pay the salaries of folks who could be better utilized serving tea to those who are working, but we get to pay to have the street and sidewalk dug up every single morning and refilled and resurfaced (with asphalt) every single evening. Wonder how much time and money that costs? Did Yukio not notice this when he lived in Denenchofu just a few short months ago? But who am I---a taxpaying resident who should never be allowed to vote for fear upsetting the apple cart with dangerous foreign influence---to say anything about that. Let the neighbors grumble---which they are. (Hear anything Yukio?)
Speaking of EVIL foreign influence:
I'm cool with this. Only a bunch of lunatics would try to run a country forever with promises of no new taxes except on the other guy, while spending the money of future generations for everything except filling in potholes in roads and in society because for one reason or another, deficits don't matter. But this is not about the USA.
Really, the DPJ has been trying its best to right the economy they inherited from the LDP. One of the things that impressed me is how the wasteful practice of moving large quantities of earth from one spot to another for no useful purpose seems to have decreased under the new government. I have no stats, but that's just an impression from my somewhat less frequent cycling workouts along the Tamagawa. Mud-moving projects have noticeably decreased in size if not quantity since the autumn.
Perhaps, however, the money was shifted elsewhere. Every day, on the walk from my Mansion to Denenchofu station, I get to pass through the now 2 (or 3?) year old water line project which makes the street nearly impassible for humans and autos. As on construction projects everywhere, there seem to be about 5 people standing around and "supervising" for each person who is actually working. But what makes this a great economic stimulus is that not only do we get to pay the salaries of folks who could be better utilized serving tea to those who are working, but we get to pay to have the street and sidewalk dug up every single morning and refilled and resurfaced (with asphalt) every single evening. Wonder how much time and money that costs? Did Yukio not notice this when he lived in Denenchofu just a few short months ago? But who am I---a taxpaying resident who should never be allowed to vote for fear upsetting the apple cart with dangerous foreign influence---to say anything about that. Let the neighbors grumble---which they are. (Hear anything Yukio?)
Speaking of EVIL foreign influence:
Referring to the downgrading of the outlook for Japan's long-term government bonds by foreign rating companies, State Minister for Financial Affairs Shizuka Kamei said, "The Japanese are susceptible to foreign influences. There are lots of idiots." He thus indicated his dissatisfaction with the nature of credit ratings and the way people respond to them. Kamei is set to have regulatory power over credit rating companies starting in April. (From Feb 16 Asahi Shimbun. I cannot find a link as of yet.)
Now I don't really know what the hell this fellow was trying to say. He seemed to be angry that credit rating companies could rate Japanese bonds without asking. Maybe he was hinting at some future administrative guidance for those foreign companies. Why not? It's surely a lot easier than trying to un-screw-up the now decades old screwed-up economy. Besides, Japan owes most of its money to its own citizens, not foreigners, and it is easier to get away with screwing your own investors than it is screwing foreign investors. Or so the theory goes.
My question is: Does Kamei consider himself to be one of the idiots, or is he referring to the people whom he supposedly serves? (Let's pretend. We know that most folks in his line of work here do not consider themselves servants of the public, but more "nannies" of the childish masses. Tuche' to Fujiwara Masahiko.)
Incidentally, Kamei, a Shintaro Ishihara fan, "studied" economics at Tokyo University. Mr. Idiot also opposes foreigner suffrage* as allowing those bastards to vote could fuel nationalism. Who said that the LDP was dead?
A big arigatou in the direction of the Potomac for alerting me to this.
*We Western immigrants ought not be too hard on Kamei for this view, for he was apparently referring to those permanent residents of Korean heritage which makes it all OK.
22 Feb 2010 update: They have now begun to work directly on the road (instead of the sidewalk) and are no longer covering it with asphalt every evening. Time and money saved---what will they think of next?
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Shock and Awe
The weird, inscrutable, and mysterious Japan theories begin:
On Akio Toyoda's "apology":
Jeremy Anwyl, chief executive of auto information company Edmunds.com in Santa Monica, noted that in Japan, "guilt and shame are very different things."
"He apologized for inconveniencing Toyota customers and causing them concern, but didn't actually deal with the issue of responsibility," Anwyl said. "In the U.S., for an apology to be sincere, the speaker must accept responsibility and express remorse.*" LA Times
Mr. Anwyl must have read Ruth Benedict's ancient and controversial interpretation of the Japanese, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword---which was based largely on interviews with Japanese POWs. Or perhaps he read a Berlitz guidebook on Japan. I have never understood the supposed huge difference between the two (guilt and shame), nor do I believe that it exists in such an absolute manner. Of course, I am not the first to say that...
I find this one of the most interesting controversies in years because it seems to be a complete role reversal. Now the Japanese are being accused of not apologizing, not apologizing soon enough, not apologizing correctly, not apologizing sincerely, not understanding a foreign culture, appearing cold, unfeeling, and logically dry (the latter is my accusation), all the things that Westerners---especially the US---are accused of in Japan. And it's not even connected to WW2 issues.
I can imagine the shock and confusion some folks must feel to learn that, yes, in the US and elsewhere folks apologize too, and also expect some sort of apology when they feel wronged. Sometimes, even non-Japanese must be apologized to despite the fact that you think you have not actually done anything wrong. Such a feeling is not unique to Japan. Imagine that.
*Is it different here? Is it not mostly form in both countries when corporations send out folks to "apologize?" Does anyone expect real sincerity in a corporate apology?
On Akio Toyoda's "apology":
Jeremy Anwyl, chief executive of auto information company Edmunds.com in Santa Monica, noted that in Japan, "guilt and shame are very different things."
"He apologized for inconveniencing Toyota customers and causing them concern, but didn't actually deal with the issue of responsibility," Anwyl said. "In the U.S., for an apology to be sincere, the speaker must accept responsibility and express remorse.*" LA Times
Mr. Anwyl must have read Ruth Benedict's ancient and controversial interpretation of the Japanese, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword---which was based largely on interviews with Japanese POWs. Or perhaps he read a Berlitz guidebook on Japan. I have never understood the supposed huge difference between the two (guilt and shame), nor do I believe that it exists in such an absolute manner. Of course, I am not the first to say that...
I find this one of the most interesting controversies in years because it seems to be a complete role reversal. Now the Japanese are being accused of not apologizing, not apologizing soon enough, not apologizing correctly, not apologizing sincerely, not understanding a foreign culture, appearing cold, unfeeling, and logically dry (the latter is my accusation), all the things that Westerners---especially the US---are accused of in Japan. And it's not even connected to WW2 issues.
I can imagine the shock and confusion some folks must feel to learn that, yes, in the US and elsewhere folks apologize too, and also expect some sort of apology when they feel wronged. Sometimes, even non-Japanese must be apologized to despite the fact that you think you have not actually done anything wrong. Such a feeling is not unique to Japan. Imagine that.
*Is it different here? Is it not mostly form in both countries when corporations send out folks to "apologize?" Does anyone expect real sincerity in a corporate apology?
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Karel van Wolferen (The Enigma of Japanese Power) on the election
...To say that the task that Hatoyama Yukio and his fellow leaders of the Minshuto have set themselves is daunting would be putting it very, very mildly. One must be wary of using the label ‘revolutionary’, but if they succeed this would be appropriate in the context of Japan's controlling political institutions. Considering their manifesto there can hardly be any doubt that correcting the severe imbalance in the relationship between Japan's elected politicians and career bureaucrats is their priority. What they want is nothing out of the ordinary for most other countries... karelvanwolferen.com
Monday, August 31, 2009
Excellent TV: Bahahahahaha. They lost.
Watching a number of TV stations report the election has been quite interesting for reasons other than seeing the LDP get completely stomped. Channel 6 had Beat Takeshi on as a non-commenting commentator. He barely said anything but was seated with the reporters through out the evening. I was informed that since it was a live broadcast, that they were afraid to let him on open mic because of his tendency to say things not supposed to be said on TV. The theory must have been that his mere appearance would attract viewers.
The stations had wildly different results at times, with NHK being one of the most conservative. Channel 11 on satellite was the quickest with its predictions often having the DPJ up to 20 seats more than some other stations.
What interested me for about 5 minutes---after which I became cross-eyed---were the messages from viewers that were streamed on the upper part of the screen. They were nothing special for the most part and one could hear the same sort of thing in most democracies during an election, especially one ashistoric mind-boggling as this one.
Below are just a random sample with no real logic for selecting them except that they are shorter messages which I could get quickly. Should be read with the caveat that these are not only are these my "inelegant" translations, but I had to read them and try to translate and write them down as fast as I could.
This country has changed. (A 20-something person.)
Can the DPJ really do it?
I'm worried the DPJ will raise insurance fees.
I don't want the DPJ to turn into the LDP.
I want the number of kids and students to increase.
From here it will be terrible.
I worry about Japan from now. (50 year old man.)
I want Japan to become a country that is easy to live in. (A person in his/her 20s.)
To Mr. Hatoyama: Is the DPJ the same as, or different from, the LDP?
Japan can also change.
I want politics to change 180 degrees from what it has been.
I am against the elimination of highway tolls.
Toward a new Japan. (50-something man)
Because we want Japan to change, this will be the election it begins.
One I could not really be sure of was from a woman who wrote something roughly like: "Everyone says the same thing, we saw America change and now we will too."
I wonder if this will be the election in which a bit of optimism begins in Japan. If so, now it's up to the DPJ to preserve and develop it. They cannot blow this opportunity.*
* As noted in the comments, they certainly can blow the opportunity.
The stations had wildly different results at times, with NHK being one of the most conservative. Channel 11 on satellite was the quickest with its predictions often having the DPJ up to 20 seats more than some other stations.
What interested me for about 5 minutes---after which I became cross-eyed---were the messages from viewers that were streamed on the upper part of the screen. They were nothing special for the most part and one could hear the same sort of thing in most democracies during an election, especially one as
Below are just a random sample with no real logic for selecting them except that they are shorter messages which I could get quickly. Should be read with the caveat that these are not only are these my "inelegant" translations, but I had to read them and try to translate and write them down as fast as I could.
This country has changed. (A 20-something person.)
Can the DPJ really do it?
I'm worried the DPJ will raise insurance fees.
I don't want the DPJ to turn into the LDP.
I want the number of kids and students to increase.
From here it will be terrible.
I worry about Japan from now. (50 year old man.)
I want Japan to become a country that is easy to live in. (A person in his/her 20s.)
To Mr. Hatoyama: Is the DPJ the same as, or different from, the LDP?
Japan can also change.
I want politics to change 180 degrees from what it has been.
I am against the elimination of highway tolls.
Toward a new Japan. (50-something man)
Because we want Japan to change, this will be the election it begins.
One I could not really be sure of was from a woman who wrote something roughly like: "Everyone says the same thing, we saw America change and now we will too."
I wonder if this will be the election in which a bit of optimism begins in Japan. If so, now it's up to the DPJ to preserve and develop it. They cannot blow this opportunity.*
* As noted in the comments, they certainly can blow the opportunity.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
I don't care. I don't care. I really don't
I've been trying to avoid it. I don't really wanna watch what is likely the certainty of a DPJ victory over the LDP. I mean nothing will please me more than to see the LDP slapped silly unless it would be to see it happen several times over the next decade. I figure with the election pretty much locked up---my commie wife even voted non-commie---that I would just wait and see what the DPJ actually is able to do when in power before getting all excited. I even tried watching Chibimariko-chan and Sazae-san to keep my finger off the remote that would lead me to any news about the election results which should start in an hour or so.
I have failed, mainly because of the damned blogs I have checked when not watching cartoons. Observing Japan has an Election Day Open Thread , and Our Man in Abiko has promised live coverage from 9PM which I am sure won't be replicated elsewhere. There may be others I haven't found yet. But I don't care. Means nothing to me.
8:33pm And it's just terrible. Results so far are 207 for the opposition and 51 for the LDP and its lone ally Komeito.
Duh! Trans-Pacific Radio is also covering the election live,as is Observing Japan.
I have failed, mainly because of the damned blogs I have checked when not watching cartoons. Observing Japan has an Election Day Open Thread , and Our Man in Abiko has promised live coverage from 9PM which I am sure won't be replicated elsewhere. There may be others I haven't found yet. But I don't care. Means nothing to me.
8:33pm And it's just terrible. Results so far are 207 for the opposition and 51 for the LDP and its lone ally Komeito.
Duh! Trans-Pacific Radio is also covering the election live,as is Observing Japan.
Friday, August 28, 2009
We can help
(Revised and reposted.)
Apologies to Billy Swan. (Oh well...soundtrack has been removed....)
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Maintaining my sanity and healthy mind
It was not an especially good day. Yes, I (always somewhat surprisingly) survived my early morning bike ride with only one near accident with an absolute idiot, but the fact that I was even out riding would make me the 2nd absolute idiot.
Later I got on my train and it was empty enough that I could even sit. Not only could I sit, I could do so without the gal or guy next to me nodding off repeatedly on my shoulder. Nobody had their cheap, tinny-sounding, earphones listening to what sounds like a cat-fight in a garbage can on either. No one coughed or sneezed on me, and nobody got a chance to push or shove me or cut me off when I exited.
It was beginning to look like a nice day made nicer by the fact that I would not be doing this mind-numbing job tomorrow, but I had to drop by The Office. While in the lobby while waiting for the World's Slowest Elevator to go from the 2nd floor to the 3rd---for some reason, that seems to be the only place where I am never in a hurry---two the of the women who work on the mysterious Fourth Floor joined me.
The Fourth Floor is where the Big Guys work. They wear very expensive suits and have nicely styled hair. One fellow has a Koizumi-type mop, but somehow lacks Lobo's charisma. He is sorta like a combination of John Kerry and AlGore with Koizumi hair. Don't know what The Big Guys do exactly, but I do know that they retired many moons ago from the parent company and were sent down to guide us and help absorb all the extra money that would otherwise be spent on raises, bonuses, updating our OS from Windows 2000, the occasional implementation of a new idea, and other such waste.
Anyway, the gals from The Fourth Floor informed me that a foreigner on the 3rd---the peon floor---had caught the New Flu. Oh goody! Apparently he had been coughing for a few days and finally went to the hospital where they diagnosed Swine Flu. I immediately thought of Ms. U who has been coughing since January, usually from the desk across from mine, pausing only to scream into the telephone. (Ms. U does not understand the purpose of a phone. She talks loud enough on one that if she were to open a window and use the same volume, she could make an international call to the US using only her mouth.) Then I remembered that Ms. U is neither a man nor a foreigner.
When I got to the third floor I excitedly inquired about the wonderful news. No, it seems it was not a foreigner, but a Japanese guy who might have swine flu. Well, I could understand the mistake made by the gals from the Fourth Floor, 'cause you'd expect that a foreigner would be the one to infect the office, and not the other way around.
Still, the news made me a little hesitant about hanging around the contaminated office. (Using the keyboards makes you want to cut your fingertips off afterward as a sanitary measure. I once took mine apart to clean it which convinced everyone that I was even more whacked than rumored.) I decided to cut the visit short, but was unable to escape before the scheduler saw me and asked me to wait. Sure. Anything for you Ms. Y so that you don't get pissed and try to screw me yet again.
While waiting, I decided to read an article from the Christian Science Monitor that I had found earlier through a link posted at Shisaku. After reading the article I became a bit perplexed:
"How should Japan maintain its political and economic independence and protect its national interest when caught between the United States, which is fighting to retain its position as the world's dominant power, and China, which is seeking ways to become dominant? This is a question of concern not only to Japan but also to the small and medium-sized nations in Asia. They want the military power of the US to function effectively for the stability of the region but want to restrain US political and economic excesses." [Emphasis mine]
Maintain its political and economic independence? Don't you have to have something in order to maintain it? And I am quite touched to learn that the nations of Asia want the US to continue to send the less financially well off of its young men and women and its tax money to stabilize an area that either no other country/countries can or else have more sense than to try. Since Hatoyama wants an "equal relationship" with the US though, perhaps Japan will contribute 50/50 in money and military for this.
Then I remembered that it had been pointed out on the Shisaku post that Hatoyama's article had all the weight of chicken feathers or something to that effect, so I decided to just wait and see what Yukio actually does rather than worry about what he says he will do. Besides, Ms. Y had come back to happily inform me that I would get to take an all expenses paid trip to Saitama in early September.
Normal folks do not consider Saitama close to where I live, but she did. "Oh, it's only about 30 minutes from Shinjuku by the Shonan line!" Since I don't live in Shinjuku, and since she knows I don't live in Shinjuku, I knew that it was quite far away and a lot of trouble to get to. She always mentions some station other than the one which I will be departing from when the destination is very far away. She thinks it makes me think that it is closer. Or perhaps she thinks that I am too dumb to add the time from my home to Shinjuku and figure out that it ain't really 30 minutes away.
But the train home from Otemachi later in the evening proved to be about normal. I was first in line and found an empty seat (an end seat too!) and was able to slip right into it without being pushed, shoved, kicked, bit, or cut off. There was no fragrance of ripe armpits, garlic-and-sake-laced breath, no constant sniffing of the runny nose, no cough-in-the face---I was feeling pretty smug about my prize.
Of course, it was not to be. The young girl beside me had her damned cat-fight-in-the-garbage-can tunes leaking through her cheap-ass earphones. (Naturally, they couldn't have been made in Japan.) Tried to ignore. Could not. Got up and moved across the aisle into my favored protected area beside the door. I could still hear the thing. Everyone else acted like they couldn't.
A guy got on at the next stop and took the seat. I watched. Within a minute he turned and looked directly at her. He said nothing. Just a hard stare that lasted maybe two seconds. She did not look back at him, but just after he looked away, she opened her purse and turned off her noise-maker.
I have tried that. It never works for me.
Later I got on my train and it was empty enough that I could even sit. Not only could I sit, I could do so without the gal or guy next to me nodding off repeatedly on my shoulder. Nobody had their cheap, tinny-sounding, earphones listening to what sounds like a cat-fight in a garbage can on either. No one coughed or sneezed on me, and nobody got a chance to push or shove me or cut me off when I exited.
It was beginning to look like a nice day made nicer by the fact that I would not be doing this mind-numbing job tomorrow, but I had to drop by The Office. While in the lobby while waiting for the World's Slowest Elevator to go from the 2nd floor to the 3rd---for some reason, that seems to be the only place where I am never in a hurry---two the of the women who work on the mysterious Fourth Floor joined me.
The Fourth Floor is where the Big Guys work. They wear very expensive suits and have nicely styled hair. One fellow has a Koizumi-type mop, but somehow lacks Lobo's charisma. He is sorta like a combination of John Kerry and AlGore with Koizumi hair. Don't know what The Big Guys do exactly, but I do know that they retired many moons ago from the parent company and were sent down to guide us and help absorb all the extra money that would otherwise be spent on raises, bonuses, updating our OS from Windows 2000, the occasional implementation of a new idea, and other such waste.
Anyway, the gals from The Fourth Floor informed me that a foreigner on the 3rd---the peon floor---had caught the New Flu. Oh goody! Apparently he had been coughing for a few days and finally went to the hospital where they diagnosed Swine Flu. I immediately thought of Ms. U who has been coughing since January, usually from the desk across from mine, pausing only to scream into the telephone. (Ms. U does not understand the purpose of a phone. She talks loud enough on one that if she were to open a window and use the same volume, she could make an international call to the US using only her mouth.) Then I remembered that Ms. U is neither a man nor a foreigner.
When I got to the third floor I excitedly inquired about the wonderful news. No, it seems it was not a foreigner, but a Japanese guy who might have swine flu. Well, I could understand the mistake made by the gals from the Fourth Floor, 'cause you'd expect that a foreigner would be the one to infect the office, and not the other way around.
Still, the news made me a little hesitant about hanging around the contaminated office. (Using the keyboards makes you want to cut your fingertips off afterward as a sanitary measure. I once took mine apart to clean it which convinced everyone that I was even more whacked than rumored.) I decided to cut the visit short, but was unable to escape before the scheduler saw me and asked me to wait. Sure. Anything for you Ms. Y so that you don't get pissed and try to screw me yet again.
While waiting, I decided to read an article from the Christian Science Monitor that I had found earlier through a link posted at Shisaku. After reading the article I became a bit perplexed:
"How should Japan maintain its political and economic independence and protect its national interest when caught between the United States, which is fighting to retain its position as the world's dominant power, and China, which is seeking ways to become dominant? This is a question of concern not only to Japan but also to the small and medium-sized nations in Asia. They want the military power of the US to function effectively for the stability of the region but want to restrain US political and economic excesses." [Emphasis mine]
Maintain its political and economic independence? Don't you have to have something in order to maintain it? And I am quite touched to learn that the nations of Asia want the US to continue to send the less financially well off of its young men and women and its tax money to stabilize an area that either no other country/countries can or else have more sense than to try. Since Hatoyama wants an "equal relationship" with the US though, perhaps Japan will contribute 50/50 in money and military for this.
Then I remembered that it had been pointed out on the Shisaku post that Hatoyama's article had all the weight of chicken feathers or something to that effect, so I decided to just wait and see what Yukio actually does rather than worry about what he says he will do. Besides, Ms. Y had come back to happily inform me that I would get to take an all expenses paid trip to Saitama in early September.
Normal folks do not consider Saitama close to where I live, but she did. "Oh, it's only about 30 minutes from Shinjuku by the Shonan line!" Since I don't live in Shinjuku, and since she knows I don't live in Shinjuku, I knew that it was quite far away and a lot of trouble to get to. She always mentions some station other than the one which I will be departing from when the destination is very far away. She thinks it makes me think that it is closer. Or perhaps she thinks that I am too dumb to add the time from my home to Shinjuku and figure out that it ain't really 30 minutes away.
But the train home from Otemachi later in the evening proved to be about normal. I was first in line and found an empty seat (an end seat too!) and was able to slip right into it without being pushed, shoved, kicked, bit, or cut off. There was no fragrance of ripe armpits, garlic-and-sake-laced breath, no constant sniffing of the runny nose, no cough-in-the face---I was feeling pretty smug about my prize.
Of course, it was not to be. The young girl beside me had her damned cat-fight-in-the-garbage-can tunes leaking through her cheap-ass earphones. (Naturally, they couldn't have been made in Japan.) Tried to ignore. Could not. Got up and moved across the aisle into my favored protected area beside the door. I could still hear the thing. Everyone else acted like they couldn't.
A guy got on at the next stop and took the seat. I watched. Within a minute he turned and looked directly at her. He said nothing. Just a hard stare that lasted maybe two seconds. She did not look back at him, but just after he looked away, she opened her purse and turned off her noise-maker.
I have tried that. It never works for me.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Back to "normal"
Last September, the "greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression" began. At the time, and for months afterward, I thought that the world---at least as it pertains to the US, Japan, and China---had changed forever. You could read about it everywhere which, of course, made it true. The over-consumption of US consumers would stop now and forever; not just until the economy recovered. And the US government? It would have to start paying its own way and stop borrowing from overseas. Taxes would have to be raised.
Japan, which has relied on an export-driven economy for decades would no longer be able to do so with the reduction in consumption in the US. Without the ability toexport unemployment rely on exports to the US, it would no longer be able to fund the US party.
I was so surprised (why?) by the developments of that fall and the early winter, that I actually started taking Paul Krugman seriously! (The Obama administration didn't. Points for Barack.) Fortunately, the crisis and the recession seem to be all but over now.
There have been a number of articles in the last 24 hours reporting that Japan may be* coming out of the recession and they point to...sigh...exports as driving the recovery. I guess that's no shock, what else would?
The expansion was in line with the 0.9 percent growth forecast that was the average of 10 economists surveyed last week. A 1.2 percent growth in public demand helped offset a 1.3 percent fall in demand from the private sector, the data showed. Overall domestic demand fell 0.7 percent from the previous quarter.
Recovery in these critical overseas markets whittled down inventories and released some pent-up demand, bolstering Japan’s exports of cars and electronics. Exports grew 6.3 percent from the previous quarter, while imports fell 5.1 percent. NYT
Strangely, for all of the monumental, historic changes that were said to be the likely result of the financial crisis, I can't find much about the US or Japan doing much to prepare for the new world. In the US, we can still have it both ways, government benefits and no tax increases except on some bad guys and the rest will be paid for with cuts in wasteful spending. In fact, they'll "pay for themselves." Bahahahahaha!
We've heard for at least 25 years that these sort of things can't go on forever, but then they do. Kind of makes economics seem like a social science heavily influenced or perhaps driven by political beliefs and a group of folks who---stealing a quote from here--- "think arithmetic is a substitute for reality." Oh wait...did I say seem like?
*A very iffy maybe.
Japan, which has relied on an export-driven economy for decades would no longer be able to do so with the reduction in consumption in the US. Without the ability to
I was so surprised (why?) by the developments of that fall and the early winter, that I actually started taking Paul Krugman seriously! (The Obama administration didn't. Points for Barack.) Fortunately, the crisis and the recession seem to be all but over now.
There have been a number of articles in the last 24 hours reporting that Japan may be* coming out of the recession and they point to...sigh...exports as driving the recovery. I guess that's no shock, what else would?
The expansion was in line with the 0.9 percent growth forecast that was the average of 10 economists surveyed last week. A 1.2 percent growth in public demand helped offset a 1.3 percent fall in demand from the private sector, the data showed. Overall domestic demand fell 0.7 percent from the previous quarter.
Recovery in these critical overseas markets whittled down inventories and released some pent-up demand, bolstering Japan’s exports of cars and electronics. Exports grew 6.3 percent from the previous quarter, while imports fell 5.1 percent. NYT
Strangely, for all of the monumental, historic changes that were said to be the likely result of the financial crisis, I can't find much about the US or Japan doing much to prepare for the new world. In the US, we can still have it both ways, government benefits and no tax increases except on some bad guys and the rest will be paid for with cuts in wasteful spending. In fact, they'll "pay for themselves." Bahahahahaha!
We've heard for at least 25 years that these sort of things can't go on forever, but then they do. Kind of makes economics seem like a social science heavily influenced or perhaps driven by political beliefs and a group of folks who---stealing a quote from here--- "think arithmetic is a substitute for reality." Oh wait...did I say seem like?
*A very iffy maybe.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
JT poll 2
So now I see what the Japan Times poll posted about below is measuring: How much people hate anyone screaming through loudspeakers in public, politician or not. Anyone having to live or work near that probably ain't gonna care too much about improving campaigns; only shutting down the noise.
A few cups of coffee at the Starbucks above Oimachi station during campaign season would make anyone understand that.
A few cups of coffee at the Starbucks above Oimachi station during campaign season would make anyone understand that.
Friday, August 14, 2009
A piece of an already too small mind: JT poll
The Japan Times runs "polls" about once a week where they "survey" reader opinions on various subjects. Some folks would say that these types of polls are completely meaningless since they only measure the number responses to a restricted set of pre-chosen choices---none of which may even express a person's opinion---and the fact that they measure only the responses of people who visit the Japan Times and respond to meaningless polls. Then there are the cranks who will select the most absurd response on the poll just to screw up an already screwy poll.
For the last week the Japan Times has run a poll (A piece of your mind: Campaign conditions) asking about hypothetical changes to Japan's extremely restrictive campaign laws. 1441 people have replied as of today. The most popular hypothetical revision? Limit the volume level of loud speakers with 60% support. A distant second is a cap on campaign spending (!!!) at 17%. Third is to allow politicians to update their blogs and websites during the campaign at 12%. Last is to allow door-to-door canvassing at 3%.
Just hoping the respondents are joking or else it would make one question if a large number of these 1441 people have any idea what is going on in Japan.
For the last week the Japan Times has run a poll (A piece of your mind: Campaign conditions) asking about hypothetical changes to Japan's extremely restrictive campaign laws. 1441 people have replied as of today. The most popular hypothetical revision? Limit the volume level of loud speakers with 60% support. A distant second is a cap on campaign spending (!!!) at 17%. Third is to allow politicians to update their blogs and websites during the campaign at 12%. Last is to allow door-to-door canvassing at 3%.
Just hoping the respondents are joking or else it would make one question if a large number of these 1441 people have any idea what is going on in Japan.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
DPJ's Okada comments at Reuters event
I think trying to move currency rates artificially when they are in line with
economic fundamentals would be undesirable in the long run."
If we do not change the model of relying on exports, there will be no future for
Japan's economy.
We do not particularly want Keidanren to support us. We will firmly stress our
policies to the voters.
[Concerning nuclear policy]if Japan thinks there is no mistake if it just follows
what the United States says, then I think as a sovereign nation that is very pathetic."
More of his comments covering various topics at Reuters here.
It all sounds nice. Now if only his party actually makes progress on these after
it gets in power.
economic fundamentals would be undesirable in the long run."
If we do not change the model of relying on exports, there will be no future for
Japan's economy.
We do not particularly want Keidanren to support us. We will firmly stress our
policies to the voters.
[Concerning nuclear policy]if Japan thinks there is no mistake if it just follows
what the United States says, then I think as a sovereign nation that is very pathetic."
More of his comments covering various topics at Reuters here.
It all sounds nice. Now if only his party actually makes progress on these after
it gets in power.
Monday, August 10, 2009
It's like?
Okada, who would likely have a key role in the new government if the opposition party takes power, criticized what he described as Japan's obedience to Washington. Tokyo has largely followed the lead of the U.S. over the last five decades despite sharp policy changes under the 11 different U.S. presidents who have served during that time.
"It's like Japan hasn't had its own diplomacy, or its own opinions," he said at a briefing Monday for a small group of foreign journalists. CBS
The DPJ's Katsuya Okada talking about his vision of Japan when the DPJ wins the election. What does he mean by "It's like"? Ya mean Japan has had it's own diplomacy and opinions? How was anyone supposed to know that?
"It's like Japan hasn't had its own diplomacy, or its own opinions," he said at a briefing Monday for a small group of foreign journalists. CBS
The DPJ's Katsuya Okada talking about his vision of Japan when the DPJ wins the election. What does he mean by "It's like"? Ya mean Japan has had it's own diplomacy and opinions? How was anyone supposed to know that?
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Oops. He can't say that!
Apparently, there have been some calls for Japan to ask the US to reject pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons. On the evening NHK TV news* Aso basically rejected the idea as unrealistic, and the head of the Social Democratic Party expressed her anger that LDP was not going to press the US to do such a thing.
Then, most embarrassingly, Kazuo Shii of the JCP gave his opinion saying that it was hypocritical of Japan to talk of controlling nukes when it was under the US nuclear umbrella.
Friggin' Commie.
*I listened to the English subchannel on NHK and I am going by their translation.
Then, most embarrassingly, Kazuo Shii of the JCP gave his opinion saying that it was hypocritical of Japan to talk of controlling nukes when it was under the US nuclear umbrella.
Friggin' Commie.
*I listened to the English subchannel on NHK and I am going by their translation.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Trust us. We're from the gubbermint.
Anyone in Japan for the long term (i.e. borderline lunatics) might wanna take a look over at Japan Economy, News & Blog to assist in understanding the true giggle-worthiness of the promises of the major political parties. Seems the the pension fund, which ain't yet near being hit as hard as it will be, lost 10.17 trillion yen in 2008, the third straight year of losses. Methinks that both parties are orbiting Mars.
I wonder, should the country have a serious crisis when the baby boom retirees reach critical mass, will the Japanese government offer non-Japanese retirees---those who have not taken citizenship---a free ticket home in lieu of their earned pension similar to what it has done to some other inconvenient and potentially expensive immigrants recently? Or will they just not pay the promised benefits?
One could put his/her extra cash in the bank at whatever barely positive interest rate is being offered. After 20 years you might be able to use the accrued interest to make a down-payment on a Kit Kat. Or one could perhaps invest in domestic equities. I haven't paid much attention to them for a while, so I don't know what the average P/E is----maybe 9,000,000:1?
No worry though. We can trust the gubbermint. Besides, people---including immigrants---have rights here. Bet your future on it.
I wonder, should the country have a serious crisis when the baby boom retirees reach critical mass, will the Japanese government offer non-Japanese retirees---those who have not taken citizenship---a free ticket home in lieu of their earned pension similar to what it has done to some other inconvenient and potentially expensive immigrants recently? Or will they just not pay the promised benefits?
One could put his/her extra cash in the bank at whatever barely positive interest rate is being offered. After 20 years you might be able to use the accrued interest to make a down-payment on a Kit Kat. Or one could perhaps invest in domestic equities. I haven't paid much attention to them for a while, so I don't know what the average P/E is----maybe 9,000,000:1?
No worry though. We can trust the gubbermint. Besides, people---including immigrants---have rights here. Bet your future on it.
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