Koizumi getting raked over the coals in the Japanese Parliament-- now

[Art_from_Ark]

One good thing about the Japanese political system is that the prime minister is subjected to scrupulous questioning by the opposition parties, and sessions are often broadcast over NHK radio and TV, which nearly anyone can tune into, if they want to.

Right now, I am listening to the debate live on Japanese radio. A leader of one of the opposition parties is really giving it to Prime Minister Koizumi for his suppoprt of the Iraq War. "Where are the weapons of mass destruction, Mr. Koizumi?" he asks. "Even the CIA now believes that none will be found".

To which Koizumi replied: "I supported the war after hearing of the atrocities that Saddam Hussein had committed against his people-- mass murders of tens of thousands of people, gassing ethnic groups. He was known to have had weapons of mass destruction in the past."

Then the opposition leader comes back with: "Yes, Hussein had them back during the Iran-Iraq War. At that time, Hussein was an American ally. And wasn't it the Americans who were giving him his weapons at that time?" Youch.

Unfortunately, I was not able to hear Koizumi's response.

[5thGenDemocrat]

1. Ah, the opposition leader was one comment ahead of me

We knew Hussein had WMDs because we still had the receipts for them.
John
As far as Koizumi's reponse, I'm sure mumbling and muttering sounds much the same in any language.

[Art_from_Ark]

10. I really strained to hear what he was saying

but Koizumi suddenly started talking like he was a graduate of the George Bu$h School of Diction:evilgrin:

[Jack The Tab]

2. I'm actually surprised Koizumi is playing lapdog...

I must admit, I haven't heard much about his position or the Japanese govs position on this whole war scam. I thought they were just laying low. I'm a bit disheartened to see another leader being a Bush apologist.

Cheesus Art, what is it like living in a country where not only do the politicians speak the truth, but GOD ALMIGHTY it's fucking broadcast on the airwaves.

Get me a job in Japan, please. LOL.

[Art_from_Ark]

3. With regard to Koizumi's behavior

I think some of it might be related to the steel tariffs that the US tried to impose on Japan some time ago. The Japanese economy is particularly dependent on the US economy, if you know what I mean.

As for your second question "Cheesus Art, what is it like living in a country where not only do the politicians speak the truth, but GOD ALMIGHTY it's fucking broadcast on the airwaves:"

I find it quite refreshing to hear the opposition parties speaking frankly and directly to the leader of the country.

And, I gotta hand it to NHK-- they do make good use of my 3000 yen TV fee.

[Sephirstein]

4. Hmmm...

From what I understand, the Liberal Democratic Party is so powerful, that most of the opposition is among its factions.

[Art_from_Ark]

7. That has been the case

For all but a couple of years since 1955, the LDP has been in the driver's seat at the national level (the Japanese version of the PRI?). Although it has an alliance with a couple other right-wing parties, the LDP calls the shots, and the prime minister is selected from whatever faction of the party happens to be in most favor (or is owed the most favors, whichever the case may be). There were four factions involved in the recent campaign for party president, but it was really hard to tell the difference between them. The Japan Times ran an article the other day discussing the overwhelming strength of the Koizumi faction and how the other factions appear to be crumbling. So, it would appear that the Koizumi faction is firmly in control.

However, I have been hearing a lot of grumbling lately. Not too many people over here (Japan) are happy with the push to send Self-Defense Forces to Iraq. Some people have even told me they think the opposition might gain control in the November elections. And today's debate might have instilled more doubt in people's minds about the direction Koizumi is taking them.

[proud patriot]

5. I sure wish bush had to do this

Wouldn't that be great

[opihimoimoi]

6. Either Bush doing some wrong or Koizumi doing something right

for the Dollar fetches 110 yen today. Its the best in 3 years. last year it was 135 Y to the dollar. A gain of approx 20%.

A weak Dollar means we will pay more for those instant ramens soon, LOL

[Art_from_Ark]

8. (Post deleted by author)

Post #8 shows up also as post #9, so I deleted #8

[Art_from_Ark]

9. I don't know what, if anything, Koizumi's doing right

But the Japanese government DID announce that the recession is over (strangely enough, just two weeks before the LDP election). And the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported yesterday that unemployment has gone down from 5.3% to 5.1%.

Of course, the IMF released a report recently that was not too flattering for the dollar and the Bu$h economy, and almost immediately the dollar started to fall.

And the American government itself was on record as pushing for a more expensive yen (as if this will really do anything to help American exports to Japan).

Then there's the fact that the yen/dollar exchange rate has been used as an easy way for currency traders to make big bucks by exaggerating the perceived weaknesses/strengths of the Japanese economy.

So the dollar will probably "rebound" against the yen in the near future, and the price of your Maruchan/Sapporo ramens should come back down.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

13. Well, I'm one who's happy when the yen strengthens

My furikomi from Japanese clients are coming in with more dollars than I expected when I sent in the invoices at the end of August.

:7

[opihimoimoi]

15. Hakata Ramen made from pigs head us the BEST in all of Japan

Unfortunately I haven't seen the instant kind yet. I got addicted to it 2 years ago while in Fukaoka.

When the Yen strengthens, I too am happy as it means more tourists from Japan coming here.

Sometimes they bring me Koshi Hikari as a Omiyagi.

[Art_from_Ark]

11. Yes, wouldn't that be great

to make Bu$h stand before the Congress and engage in impromptu debates where he would actually have to answer questions based on his knowledge of the subject? My guess is he wouldn't last five minutes.

[Forkboy]

12. Interesting stuff

I'd love to hear more about Japanese politics.

And do you need a roommate out there...I REALLY want to see Japan :D

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Art has a roommate

He's married to a Japanese woman and has two children.