The Japan Considered Podcast

August 8 , 2008; Volume 04, Number 24

Click here for a transcript of today's program

Thanks for dropping by today. Good to be back behind the microphone after a 23-day RV camping and kayaking trip. Have a look at some photos from the various campgrounds and surrounding mountains on the Mobile Studio Travels page.

This week we have a special treat. Dr. Edward Lincoln of NYU's Stern School joins us via the SkypePhone to discuss the economic significance of Prime Minister Fukuda's August 1 cabinet reshuffle. Ed's comments were so interesting that I included the full interview, rather than the usual out-takes. I think you'll agree that it's well worth the time today.

Thanks to all of you who wrote e-mails asking about the next program. Glad to know you're interested. And continue to send your comments and suggestions directly to me at [email protected]. I enjoy reading them.

Next week we'll return to a more normal schedule, with focus on the significance of recent developments in Japan's relations with Mainland China and Korea.

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 [email protected].

July 4, 2008; Volume 04, Number 22Click here for a transcript of today's program

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 [email protected]. 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 21Click here for a transcript of this program

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 [email protected]

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

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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. [email protected] 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. I read them all, and take each one into consideration when planning future programs.

May 23rd, 2008. Volume 04, Number 17Click here for a transcript of this program. Thanks for tuning in again this week. Lots of travel and activity. Even though it is summer here! This week we wrap up Chinese President Hu Jintao's historic visit to Japan. What was accomplished; what wasn't. And conclude it was an important success for both countries. Before that, though, we look again at the Space Bill that passed Japan's parliament on Wednesday, and what the bill means for Japan's national security and for its conduct of international relations. Especially in Asia. There's been blessed little coverage of this bill in the English language press. Probably because it's summer. But it really is quite important. And finally, we take a preliminary look at Japan's response to China's earthquake disaster in Sichuan Province on May 12th. The bilateral atmospherics appear to have been positive, and that's important. Next time we'll consider the strange events surrounding news that China had asked Japan to use SDF military planes in the relief effort. And what happened to that. This week I have a clip of bluegrass from the "Infamous Stringdusters" that just can't wait. A clip from their latest, second, album. So, enjoy.

May 9 , 2008; Volume 04, Number 16 Click here for a transcript of this programThanks for dropping in again today, to you long-time listeners. And welcome to those of you who have just found the program. I hope it meets your expectations. Send your comments and suggestions to me at [email protected]. I read them all, and appreciate each one. You don't have to agree with my analysis to have your comments read and taken seriously. This week we focus on a preliminary look at the historic visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Japan. He's still there, so everything has to be preliminary. But I've got plenty of information about the trip, and preparations of the trip, to consider with you. Also, we consider the significance of legislation going through Japan's parliament this week that modifies the rules under which Japan's extensive space program operates. The international media hasn't paid much attention to this. And to me it seems potentially significant.

April 28, 2008; Volume 04, Number 15 Click here for a transcript of this programSurprise. A Monday program this week. Since there won't be time on Friday to produce a regular program. And just too many things are piling up in Tokyo for us to consider. Today we'll look first at the journey of the Olympic Flame through Japan on Saturday. And the significance of what has to be described as a strange event for Japan's relations with Mainland China. All went well. Given conditions. And Beijing should be pleased. Very pleased, in fact. Then we continue our examination of the various cross-factional associations that have blossomed within the LDP during recent months. This one, Mokusatsu Giren, likely to exercise the most influence over medium-term domestic political events in Japan. The potent combination of Yuriko Koike, Hidenao Nakagawa, and Junichiro Koizumi alone is enough to attract our attention. It appears that Yuriko Koike has gained some potent support in her "non-quest" for the LDP presidency and premiership. Thanks for continuing to send your comments and suggestions to me at [email protected]. They're all appreciated. You certainly don't have to agree with my analysis to have your comments read and taken into consideration.