The Japan Considered Podcast

April 18, 2008; Volume 04, Number 14

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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 [email protected]. 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!

April 11, 2008; Volume 04, Number 13 Click here for a transcript of this programWelcome again this week to another Japan Considered Podcast. Thanks for dropping in again to you long-time listeners, and a hearty South Carolina welcome to those of you who have just found the program. Even though this week we come to you from North Carolina! Last week I said we'd consider the proliferation of LDP cross-factional associations that have been developing recently. In anticipation of significant changes in the Party. If nothing intervened. Well, something did intervene. Wednesday's parliamentary "question time" debate between Prime Minister Fukuda and DPJ leader, Ichiro Ozawa. The debate was far livelier than normal for these events. And full of interesting indications of change within Japan's parliamentary politics. So, I've devoted all of our time together this week to considering its significance.

Click here for a transcript of this week's program. Thanks for tuning in again this week. Coming to you from the Mobile Studio at Modoc, South Carolina. On the very shore of Lake Thurmond. This week we examine the surprising increase in the number of mainstream Japanese political media articles related to reorganization of Japan's political party system. Just in the past few days. And sort through the implications of the most likely explanation. That, it seems, is the continuing tumble of the public approval rating for Prime Minister Fukuda and his cabinet. Next week I hope to sort through the various non-faction, even non-party, associations that have blossomed in Japan's political world during the brief period Prime Minister Fukuda has occupied the Kantei. And consider their significance for selection of Fukuda's successor, the next general election, and the reorganization of Japan's political party system.

March 28, 2008; Volume 04, Number 11

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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 21, 2008; Volume 04, Number 10 Click here for a transcript of this programThanks for dropping by again this week. You won't be wasting your time, that's for sure. Whether you're listening, or just reading the transcript. Since we're joined again this week by Dr. Edward Lincoln. Who gives us quite a different perspective on the Bank of Japan governorship vacancy than the one I presented last week. As usual, Ed combines his insights as an economist with a keen sense of the political. For very useful commentary. So listen closely to what he has to say this week. I'd hoped to cover in some detail Japan's response to the crisis in Tibet that erupted onto the front pages of the world media last Friday, the 14th. But there was time only to introduce the subject. The details will have to wait until next Friday. Details that I think will give us additional perspective on Tokyo's conduct of international relations in the 21st century. Well worth keeping an eye on.

March 14, 2008; Volume 04, Number 09

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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 [email protected].

March 07, 2008; Volume 04, Number 08

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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 [email protected]. 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 07Click here for a transcript of this program

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 [email protected]. 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 22, 2008; Volume 04, Number 06Click here for a transcript of this programThanks for dropping by again today to all. Including you new listeners. Sorry to have missed you last week. Day job complications, and a chance to visit my dad in North Carolina. This week, though, we have to consider two gloomy topics. Gloomy both in the specifics of the topics. And gloomy when we consider the Fukuda Cabinet's political response. The first is the collision earlier this week between the MSDF destroyer, Atago, and a civilian fishing boat. The second is the suspected rape of another Okinawan teenager by a U.S. Serviceman. For both, given limitations of both information and expertise, our focus is on the politics of the issues. Especially the response of the Fukuda Cabinet. And, one more encouraging topic: continuation of the bilateral investigation of the contaminated gyoza incident. Or incidents. This has been going quite well. Or, at least, it hasn't degenerated into mutual finger-pointing and name-calling. And that's encouraging. Lots more to consider. But it will have to wait until next week.

February 8, 2008; Volume 04, Number 05

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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 [email protected]. 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.