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Japan Considered Podcast by Robert Angel

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080714JapanConsideredPodcastVol04No23

Author: Dr. Robert C. Angelangel@sc.edu (Robert Angel)
Mon, Jul 14, 2008

July 14, 2008; Volume 04, Number 23

Click here for a transcript of today's program

Just a quick hello this morning, to let you know Japan Considered Podcasts will be arriving only sporadically for the next few weeks. Until mid-August. Due to my travel schedule. WiFi's not always available in the more remote parts of the country. Though I'll check in on Japan's domestic political and international news when I can. And put up a program when the WiFi connection is especially good. Sorry for the inconvenience.

I should be gone by now. But just quick mention this week of three important topics. First, the effect of Japan's participation in the Toyako G- 8 Summit on domestic politics in Japan. Then, the Beijing meeting Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the six countries trying to work out a peaceful resolution of North Korea's nuclear provocations. And finally, brief mention of former Kochi Governor Daijiro Hashimoto's announcement that he's decided to form a new national political party. Before, not after, the next general election. Interesting development

I'll discuss all of these topics in more detail in the weeks and months to come. So, stay tuned, and continue to send your comments and suggestions for the program to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com.

July 4, 2008; Volume 04, Number 22

Welcome again. And Happy Fourth of July! I hope your celebration is going well today. We have a couple of interesting topics to cover again. This time from the Mobile Studio, parked at Iron Station, in our Neighbor to the North. You may hear the sound of gunfire in the background. No, we're not under attack. As far as I can tell. It's just the way they celebrate July 4th here abouts. Quite a sound!

This week we begin with a follow-up look at Japan's response to President Bush's decision to remove North Korea from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Nothing very surprising. The real test of the significance of this issue is yet to come.

Then we shift to domestic politics, to consider a proposal recently made by LDP Upper House Member, Ichita Yamamoto. To change the rules under which an LDP president is elected. Yamamoto's proposal has received virtually no attention in Japan's political press. But I think it could well be important in the future. If, as I suspect, Yamamoto is raising the issue with the support of a larger number of reformers within the LDP. We have to review Junichiro Koizumi's experience back in 2001 to appreciate the potential of this issue.

Thanks for all of the e-mailed comments and suggestions. Again, you don't have to agree with my interpretations to have your e-mails read and taken seriously. I read each one. It's become impossible to respond individually to every note. But, even if you don't receive a reply, be confident that your effort isn't wasted. Send them to RobertCAngel@gmail.com. And click on over to the Japan Considered Website at www.JapanConsidered.Com for additional background on Japan's domestic politics and conduct of international relations.

June 27, 2008; Volume 04, Number 21

Thanks for dropping by again this week. Out in the Mobile Studio again. This time in a new State Park. Have a look at the photos on the transcript. You'll be amazed.

This week has been relatively quiet in Japan's domestic politics and conduct of international relations. But there are a few things we simply can't ignore. Most important is Japan's response to the Bush Administration's decision to de-list North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. In return for an overdue "report" on their nuclear activities.

I'd hoped also to look briefly at the efforts of Upper House Member, Ichita Yamamoto, to revise the rules by which an LDP president is elected. Didn't get to it. It will have to wait until the next program.

Which, by the way, is scheduled for July 11th. Friday after next. Since the 4th is a holiday here.

Continue to send your comments and suggestions to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com

Oh, and have a look at the Google search facility that I've added to the main web page of the Japan Considered Project website, and to the main page of the Podcasts section. Let me know how it works for you. And thanks, Michael, for the suggestion!

June 20, 2008; Volume 04, Number 20

Click here for a transcript of this program

Welcome back for another edition of the Japan Considered Podcast. This week we complete our consideration of the Upper House Censure Resolution, concluding that it didn't go quite as its sponsors planned. Then we take a very superficial look at the "breakthrough agreement" between Japan and China announced on Wesnesday. The East China Sea issue. Beyond the initial announcement reports, there's been little mention of it on the Japanese side. And finally we look at Takeo Hiranuma. Conservative? Traditionalist? Why does it matter?

Continue to send your comments and suggestions in. They're most helpful. RobertCAngel@gmail.com will do it.

June 13, 2008; Volume 04, Number 19

Click here for a transcript of this program

Greetings from the Mobile Studio parked at Lake Wateree State Recreation Area. Another opportunity to enjoy South Carolina's beautiful scenery and recreational water. Wish I could send some of it to you. A few photos are included in the transcript, though. So click on over and have a look.

This week we continue our consideration of the DPJ's decision finally to introduce a resolution of censure against Prime Minister Fukuda and his Cabinet in the Upper House. Things have gone pretty much as we expected last week. Not near the effect on Japan's national politics one would expect from reading the Japanese political media over the past year or so.

Then we return to political party system reorganization in Japan. With focus on Lower House Member Takeo Hiranuma's threats to create a new genuinely conservative political party. We didn't get very far beyond analysis of the environment within which this is taking place. Next week we'll focus more specifically on Hiranuma and why his effort may actually matter.

And we close -- nearly on time -- with another clip from the Infamous Stringduster's latest album. A great piece of work.

Thanks for your attention to the Japan Considered Podcast. Please continue to send your comments and suggestions to me directly at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I read them all, and take each one into consideration when planning new programs. Mail has increased during the past couple of months. That's a good thing. Though I'm considerably behind on responses. Even if you don't receive a direct response, you can be sure I've read your contribution, and appreciate you taking the time and trouble

June 6 , 2008; Volume 04, Number 18

Click here for a transcript of this program

Welcome back for another program. This week we take a close look at the threat of a resolution of censure in Japan's Upper House. What it means; what it doesn't mean. And its effect.

Then we turn to international affairs with review of Japanese media focus last week on China allowing Japan to use SDF military aircraft in their relief efforts for China's earthquake. It didn't happen. But media coverage of the event had significance for Japan-China bilateral relations.

And we close with another clip from the Infamous Stringdusters' latest album, "Well, Well." A real winner.

Please continue to send your comments and suggestions for the program to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I read them all, and take each one into consideration when planning future programs.

April 18, 2008; Volume 04, Number 14

Click here for a transcript of this program

Thanks for dropping by again this week. To you long-time listeners. And a hearty South Carolina welcome to those of you who have just joined us. Wow! The number of listeners -- and readers of the transcripts -- has made another jump during the past ten days. Good to see. I hope the program meets your expectations.

This week we begin by considering current relations between Japan and China. With focus on the Japan visit of China's foreign minister. For four days!

Then we begin our consideration of the new traditionalist and reformist cross-factional organizations within the LDP. We only had time to consider a few. So we'll be at this next program as well. So, tune in.

Continue to send your comments and suggestions for the program to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I read them all, and appreciate every one. Still a bit behind on direct replies. But some of you will recognize implementation of suggestions you've made in the various programs.

It's the end of the semester at USC. So I will be unlikely to produce a program for April 25th. Day job has to come first! But I hope to be with you the following week. So stay tuned!

March 28, 2008; Volume 04, Number 11

Click here for a transcript of this program

It's Friday again. And the links above will take you to the audio file for today's Japan Considered Podcast, and to an accurate transcript of the program. Interesting goings-on in Tokyo these days. Just as we like it!

First we continue with our consideration of Japan's response to eruption of Tibet problems for Beijing. Asking why Japan's official response has been so muted and cautious. And what that means for overall Japan-China relations. I then try to put the current situation into historical perspective, emphasizing development of more realistic give-and-take in the relationship.

Following that we take a close look at a surprising political event in Tokyo yesterday, Thursday. A hastily-called press conference at the Kantei. During which Prime Minister Fukuda announced an end to the earmark for proceeds from the "provisional" gas tax. Beginning during FY2009. An announcement that took many of the LDP's senior Traditionalist Zokuists by surprise. And they said so.

Fukuda told the press he made his proposal to encourage the DPJ to return to the negotiating table. I doubt that, and provide an alternative explanation. One related to increasing strength of the Reformists within the LDP.

In response to countless protests, we close again this week with an inspiring clip of bluegrass music. The early Seldom Scene's "Want of a Woman." Enjoy

March 14, 2008; Volume 04, Number 09

Click here for a transcript of this program

Thanks for joining me again today for the Japan Considered Podcast. This week's program is devoted almost entirely to comments from listeners. Comments about last week's program.

Specifically, the issue of physical violence in the halls of the Diet, and what I described last week as the antique tactic of parliamentary boycott. Lots of e-mailed reaction to those points.

This week I provide a little more detail on each of these issues, and also consider the current debate over replacement of the Bank of Japan Governor.

Thanks again for all of the e-mailed comments, and please keep them coming. To RobertCAngel@gmail.com.

March 07, 2008; Volume 04, Number 08

Click here for a transcript of this program

Thanks for dropping by today. I've got a loooong show for you. Beginning with some follow-up on the tainted gyoza negotiations between Japan and China. Then moving on to discussion of introduction of what I describe as antique parliamentary tactics into Japan's 21st Century Diet. And the implications of the introduction of those tactics. As well as the reaction of Japan's communications media. Including even violence within the chambers of the Diet.

So, have a listen. Or, a read. Depending on your preference. As always, e-mail your comments and suggestions to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. And have a look through the other features available on the Japan Considered Project website at www.JapanConsidered.com. It's all free for the clicking, so to speak.

February 29, 2008; Volume 04, Number 07

Welcome again this Leap Year February 29th. Thanks for joining me again today. I've got a treat for you this week. Dr. Ed Lincoln agreed to provide us with some background and insight into the somewhat obscure issue of sovereign wealth funds. Some of Japan's reform-minded politicians have been promoting the idea for a while now. It looks as though they may be getting more attention in the next few months. So, we'd better know what they're talking about. Ed helps us sort through the issues involved.

Also, we return briefly to the tainted gyoza issue. As of today, it appears that the Chinese side can't continue to cooperate on this one. And that the Japanese side isn't willing to give them a pass. So ... earlier optimism appears misplaced. We'll see, though. It's a while before President Hu is scheduled to visit Tokyo.

As always, continue to send your comments and suggestions directly to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I do read them all. Though the sharp increase in audience in recent months makes it impossible to respond directly to every one. They're helpful when planning new programs, and for background.

February 8, 2008; Volume 04, Number 05

Click here for a transcript of this program

Thanks for tuning in to another edition of the Japan Considered Podcast. This week we backtrack a bit, with more information about government funding of Japan's political parties. Then we consider the "tainted gyoza" incident that recently erupted into a major topic of front-page consideration in Japan during the past few days. And move from there to the first part of our consideration of how the LDP and DPJ have handled the gasoline tax surcharge issue in this session of the Diet.

As always, continue to send your comments and suggestions for the program to me directly at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I'm a bit behind on responses, with the recent increase in listenership. But read them all. And will respond to as many as possible.

January 25, 2008; Volume 04, Number 04

Click here for a transcript of this program

Welcome to another edition of the Japan Considered Podcast. This week we consider the performance of the LDP and the DPJ in the recently-opened 169th Ordinary Session of the Diet. With focus on Prime Minister Fukuda's policy speech. And the recent performance of the DPJ. Focusing on the Party leadership of Ichiro Ozawa. With Ozawa's talents as a political tactician compared to those of Karl Rove in the United States. I also provide a bit more information about the new political reform group, Sentaku. And discuss briefly the DPJ's promising new national budget proposal.

January 11, 2008; Volume 04, Number 02

Click here for a transcript of this program

Thanks for dropping by again. This week we consider the Ruling Coalition's decision to over-ride Upper House rejection of the new anti-terror bill, the Constitutional rules for passage of the national budget bill, the long-awaited parliamentary "debate" between Prime Minister Fukuda and DPJ Leader Ichiro Ozawa, and begin our discussion of the future of Japan's political party system. Lots to cover. With certain spill-over into future weeks. So stay tuned.

As always, continue to send your comments and suggestions for the program directly to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I read them all and answer as many as possible directly.

January 4 , 2008; Volume 04, Number 01

Click here for a transcript of this program

Happy New Year, and welcome to the first program for 2008 in this series. Brought to you again from the Mobile Studio. This time parked at the beautiful South Carolina beach at Edisto Island State Park. There are a few photos in the transcript. Temperatures here dropped to below freezing last night. But it's much warmer today. And we're expecting temps in the 70s here, beginning over the weekend.

This week I'd hope to focus on the currents of significant change in Japan's domestic politics. But there was just too much that needed to be said about Prime Minister Fukuda's historic visit to Mainland China. And still stay within our promised time frame. So, what went on during the China visit, and its significance, take most of our time this week. Hopefully, little will happen next week which will allow us to dig into these interesting domestic political developments. Or, at least, indications that we may be seeing some interesting domestic political developments before long.

As always, thanks for your attention to the Japan Considered Podcast. And please continue to send your e-mailed comments and suggestions to me directly at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I read them all, and respond directly to as many as possible each week. They're a great help.