December 29, 2006. Volume 02, Number 46.

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Good Morning, again, for the final Japan Considered Podcast of 2006. Thanks for dropping by. And special thanks to you long-time listeners. It doesn't work without you. So I appreciate your attention. And look forward to continuing these weekly programs of commentary and analysis concerning Japan's domestic politics and conduct of international relations in 2007.

This week we return to the problems the Abe Kantei seems to be having communicating with Japan's attentive public. Resolution of the Professor Homma fiasco we mentioned last week, eruption of a new political funding scandal, this time within the Cabinet itself, and its more rapid resolution. And then consideration of the significance of Yoshimi Watanabe's appointment to succeed Genichiro Sata as Minister of State responsible for administrative reform and regional revitalization.

Happy New Year to all.

December 22, 2006. Volume 02, Number 45.

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Good Morning, from beautiful Spring Valley in the Midlands of South Carolina. Thanks for dropping in again. This week we consider developments related to LDP factions. Specifically, Taro Aso's creation of his own faction, that appears to be a traditional LDP faction. Then Tsutomu Takebe's organization of what we might call an "anti-faction-faction" composed of younger LDP members who have yet to join factions. Then we continue consideration of the Abe Cabinet's continuing difficulty with its relationship to Japan's attentive public, and speculate on some possible explanations.

Professor Dennis Yasutomo then joins us to provide some balance to my Kantei commentary with information about some Kantei initiatives that seem to be working as they were intended to work. Especially the Asia Gateway Project.

And we conclude with a clip from the Infamous Stringdusters' "My destination."

December 15, 2006. Volume 02, Number 44.

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Good Morning, again from the University of South Carolina. Thanks for tuning in. I've got a terrific program for you this week, though it's a little long. After a preliminary discussion of the continuing decline in the public approval ratings for the Abe Cabinet, Dr. Edward Lincoln joins us for his comments on Japan's current economy, and on the economic policies of the Abe Administration. Great material.

Dr. Lincoln is the director of the Center for Japan-U.S. Business and Economic Studies at NYU's Stern School of Business in New York, and a professor of economics there. Click here to visit the Center's new Website, which includes a page of valuable links for economic information about Japan.

The SkypePhone interview with Ed was so full of useful information that I've run the whole thing. So, no time once again for bluegrass. Next week fer shur, as we'd say OverHome.

December 8, 2006. Volume 02, Number 43.

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Good Morning again from the Midlands of South Carolina. Thanks for dropping by. Sorry to have missed last week. Again, the day job seemed to get in the way. End-of-semester tasks such as research papers, grading, and writing exams. Those of you who teach for a living will understand.

This week, though, we will continue to consider the internal workings of Japan's major opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan. And how interaction there among the diverse interests represented will affect political and legislative outcomes in Japan.

We also take a look at the sharp drop in public approval of the Abe Cabinet. Its determinants, and its significance for short- and medium-term politics in Japan. Key here is a closer look at the Party's decision to allow eleven of the former "Postal Rebels" to return to full Party membership.

Then we turn to pending legislation of significance for the Abe Administration. First the efforts to revise the Basic Education Law, and then legislation that would upgrade Japan's Defense Agency to full ministerial status.

A warning: No time for bluegrass this week. But I'll try to have something nice next week as partial compensation.

November 24, 2006. Volume 02, Number 42.

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Thanks for tuning in again today. Without your interest there's little incentive to prepare these programs and to continue to talk into the microphone. Listenership and subscriptions are up all over the world. Well beyond anything I imagined last year when the project began. But we're still a "narrow-cast," rather than a "broadcast" program, and will remain so. Given our specific topic and approach.

This week is all about the gubernatorial election in Okinawa last Sunday. And the significance of that election for Japan overall, the Abe Cabinet, and most important, the Democratic Party of Japan. It's a complex subject and took all of the time available.

We close with another brief selection from North Carolina's Wind Riders. This one from their recent CD, entitled "You Can Share My Blanket." Another great sound from this remarkable group.

November 17, 2006. Volume 02, Number 41.

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This is it! Our First Anniversary Program. Thanks for tuning in again. Or, for those of you who have found us for the first time, a hearty South Carolina welcome. Each week on this program we consider the longer-term significance of events in the news for Japan's domestic politics or conduct of international relations.

This week, we hear the very beginning of the first program from last year's November 18th program. Then we follow up on last week's consideration of the Town Meeting flap that continues to give the public relations officials in the Kantei fits.

From there we move to consideration of the recent prefectural gubernatorial races, and what they can tell us about change in Japan's domestic politics. We note the DPJ's win in Fukushima, and then look at the arrests of prefectural governors under suspicion of bribery and bid-fixing.

Finally we return to the DPJ's decision to boycott Diet debates over the revision of Japan's basic education bill. Why did they do it? What did they gain? Or lose?

And we close with a stirring clip from a new bluegrass band, the Infamous Stringdusters. You can listen to more of their remarkable sound on their My Space page. Just click here to go there.

November 10, 2006. Volume 02, Number 40

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Thanks for tuning in again. A cool but sunny day here in the Carolina Midlands. No program last week. Just too much going on here. Including building a new computer to produce audio files. Let's hope it improves the sound.

This week we consider the nuclear weapons "discussion discussion" that North Korea's nuclear test last month has inspired, and what it all means. Then we turn our attention to Japan's response to the U.S. midterm elections. Quite a bit to learn from that, I think. And finally, consider the longer-term significance of a scandal that's erupted over the Kantei planting question-askers in the Town Meetings held to discuss revision of Japan's basic education law.

And, not to be forgotten, North Carolina's Wind Riders now have their CD for sale on a site called "CD Baby." I've been assured by reliable sources that this is a well known, and legitimate site. Click on http://cdbaby.com/cd/windriders to view their ad.

October 27, 2006. Volume 02, Number 39

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Thanks for tuning in again. A rainy cool day here in the Carolina Midlands. This week we'll consider the outcome of the two Lower House by-elections held last Sunday, one in Kanagawa and the other in Osaka. What they tell us about the direction of Japan's domestic politics.

Then, following on last week's profile of Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihisa Shiozaki, we'll look at Prime Minister Abe's new "public relations" adviser, Hiroshige Sekou. And consider just what his appointment tells us about the way Prime Minister Abe is likely to run his Kantei.

At the end of the program, a special Bluegrass treat. A short clip from an upcoming CD by North Carolina's Wind Riders. You can reach their website and listen to this and other clips by clicking here. A truly remarkable band.

Volume 02, Number 38.

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Thanks for tuning in again. Or "Welcome" if you've just found the program. Each week on the Japan Considered Podcast we select a few recent events in the news related to Japan and consider what they tell us about how Japan manages its domestic politics or its international relations. Or both!

This week we complete our tour of Japan's Kantei, or central political executive, with a closer look at the office of the Chief Cabinet Secretary, and the new incumbent, Yoshihisa Shiozaki. You can see his personal website by clicking here. Quite an impressive undertaking that tells us, I think, something about him as a policy actor and as the second-most important person in Japan's government.

Then we return to consideration of how Japan has responded to North Korea's recent nuclear test provocation through an interview with Mr. Gregg Rubinstein, director of GAR Associates, and a long-experienced expert on Japan-U.S. defense relations. Gregg actually knows one end of a missile from the other. So his comments are especially valuable.

Volume 02, Number 37.

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Thanks for tuning in again this week. Another full week of events in Japan of longer-term significance for Japan's domestic politics and international relations. This week, of course, we begin with Japan's response to North Korea's announcement of a nuclear weapons test. Then, we consider the implications of Prime Minister Abe's quick visits to Beijing and Seoul on Sunday and Monday.

Then, responding to several e-mail comments, we return to the domestic political arena with discussion of the difference between parliamentary and presidential political systems.
Does a parliamentary system have to behave as if it were a presidential system in order to be effective?

Finally, again in response to e-mail, I try to clear up the confusion between the Kantei's new prime ministerial advisers and the prime ministerial secretaries. There are five of each. And it can be confusing.

We close with a beautiful bluegrass clip. This one from the original Seldom Scene: "Different Roads." You can buy the album, "Old Train," from Sugar Hill Records. www.SugarHillRecords.com.

Volume 02, Number 36.

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Welcome again to the Podcast. We didn't have a program last week. Too much going on here. And too much going on in Japan to absorb by Friday! Thanks for dropping by again. Or, Welcome, to those of you who have found the program for the first time.

This week we consider how Japan is coping with change in its international and domestic environments, the significance of how Shinzo Abe has been selected as Japan's 90th prime minister, and then the role Abe's new five prime ministerial advisers are likely to play in his new Administration.

We didn't have time to run through the bios of the individuals Abe appointed to his cabinet. But you can find an excellent reference from Kyodo News by clicking here.

Volume 02, Number 35.

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Welcome again to the program. Thanks for tuning in. This week, after updating handling of the unfortunate Kisshin-Maru 31 fishing boat incident with Russia, we take a closer look at the election of Shinzo Abe as president of the Liberal Democratic Party. How it happened, what it's likely to mean, and consider the nature of communications media reporting on the result.

Then we turn again to the Democratic Party of Japan. Last week we considered the DPJ's overall importance for the Japanese political party system, and its leadership. This week we consider the organization of the DPJ, with comments from Professor Len Schoppa of the University of Virginia. Visit Professor Schoppa's website, Japan Politics Central, by clicking here.

Volume 02, Number 34.

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Thanks for tuning in again to the Japan Considered Podcast. This week we consider three events of significance in Japan's foreign relations:

• Imposition of Further Sanctions on North Korea
• Japan's Middle East Energy Diplomacy
• And, The Story of the Koizumi-Wen Handshake Photograph.

Following that we begin the first of a three-part series on the Japan Democratic Party. This week we consider DPJ leadership, with a focus on DPJ President, Ichiro Ozawa. Professor Len Schoppa joins us briefly via SkypePhone to add his comments.

We close with a short clip from Tony Rice's "Sweet Sunny South" from Rounder Records.

Visit the Japan Considered website at www.JapanConsidered.ORG for a transcript of this program, and links to other English language information on Japan's domestic politics and international relations.

Volume 02, Number 33.

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Welcome again to the Japan Considered Podcast. I'm Robert Angel, creator and host of the Podcast. Click through the Japan Considered website at www.JapanConsidered.org for more English language information on Japan's domestic politics and international relations.

This week we consider the political significance of the birth of Japan's newest Prince. Then we look again at the last days of the Koizumi premiership, and speculate on his role after leaving the Kantei.

Finally, in response to a large number of comments and questions via e-mail this week about my Factionist-Populist concept, I offer some clarification.

Please continue to send your comments and suggestions to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I enjoy reading them, and take each one into consideration when planning subsequent programs.

Volume 02, Number 32.

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Thanks for tuning in again to the Japan Considered Podcast. Or, welcome, if this is your first visit. Each week we consider here the longer-term significance of recent events for Japan's domestic politics and international relations. I'm Robert Angel, creator and host of the Podcast.

This week we consider Shinzo Abe's formal announcement of his candidacy for the LDP presidency, and whether Abe, if elected, will become a Factionist or Populist prime minister for Japan -- as we've used those terms on this program.

We then consider the initial submission of fiscal year 2007 budget proposals by Japan's ministries and Agencies, and discuss a bit the politics of the budget process. As mentioned, for more comprehensive explanation of Japan's government budgetmaking processes look to the work of University of Michigan Professor, John C. Campbell. Click here to go to a Japan Considered Project interview with John that includes references to his publications

Volume 02, Number 31.

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Welcome again to the Japan Considered Podcast. Today we return to Japan's international relations with brief updates on the Russian arrest of the Hokkaido fishing boat and negotiations for return of the crew, and the territorial dispute with Mainland China in the East China Sea. Following a quick look in on the LDP presidential race we begin our look at the Democratic Party of Japan. Focusing on three areas: leadership; diversity in membership; and agreement on unified policies for the Party. We conclude with response to a listener question last week about the origins of the Japan Considered Project and my qualifications to produce the podcast.

Finally, in response to several listener questions a week about the technical aspects of producing the podcast, I provide information about Bruce Williams' website and his "Building the Pod" podcast. You can find Bruce's material at www.audio2u.com. An excellent site, highly recommended to those of you who wish to improve the sound quality of your production.

Volume 02, Number 30.

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Thanks for tuning in again. This is the week in which Japan celebrates its annual O-Bon festival. Folks leave the metropolitan areas to return home, there to commune with the spirits of their ancestors and with their extended families. Nothing much is supposed to happen, because Tokyo has become a ghost town of another sort. Well, that didn't happen this week. Lots going on, much of it of importance to our program.

This week we begin with a discussion of Japan's response to the incident in which a Russian patrol boat fired on a Japanese fishing vessel, off Hokkaido, killing one of the crewmen. Then we discuss the real significance of Prime Minister Koizumi's visit on Tuesday, August 15th, to Yasukuni Shrine. And we close with consideration of the role Prime Minister Koizumi will play in Japan's domestic politics and international relations once he leaves the premiership. It will be important, I think. And virtually nothing has been written about it in the Japanese political press.

As always, send your comments to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com, and visit the Japan Considered Project at www.JapanConsidered.org for additional information about Japan's politics and foreign relations.

Volume 02, Number 29.

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Glad to have you back again this week. I've enjoyed a long ten-day vacation, traveling clear to the heart of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. But it's good to be back with you to consider the longer-term significance of recent events in Japan's domestic politics and international relations.

This week we don't have time to cover international events since so much has happened in the LDP presidential race. Hopefully more time for that next week.

Please continue to send your comments to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com, and click through the Japan Considered Project website for additional information at www.JapanConsidered.ORG

Volume 02, Number 28.

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Thanks for tuning in again to long-time listeners. And a hearty South Carolina welcome to those of you who’ve found us for the first time. I’m Robert Angel, creator and maintainer of the Japan Considered Project, and creator and host of this podcast.

Beginning Monday, the 31st, I’m planning to be away for about 10 days. So there will be no Japan Considered Podcast next week. That’s Friday, August 4th. I’ll be back with you the following week, August 11th, to catch up with whatever’s happened in the interim. I’m sure we’ll have a lot to consider.

This week we’ll maintain our domestic politics focus, and consider events related to the LDP presidential race. Then we’ll turn to the Democratic Party of Japan. DPJ goings-on are very important. Both for the DPJ itself, and even for the inner workings of the LDP. But it’s much harder to get good information about the DPJ from the English, and even the Japanese, language media. I hope you'll join me week after next, August 11th, when we'll continue to consider the longer-term significance of recent events related to Japan's domestic politics and international relations.

Volume 02, Number 27.

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Thanks for tuning in. Today we're back on track with our regular Friday program. Lots happening in Japan, both on the domestic political front and the international front. But since we've spent so much time recently on international affairs, this week I've focused on domestic political developments.

Specifically we'll consider recent developments in the LDP presidential race, and efforts to succeed Junichiro Koizumi as LDP president and Japan's prime minister. Reports of Yasuo Fukuda's announcement that he will not contest the election have made significant changes in the situation.

Then we'll consider recent developments in the major opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan, or DPJ, or Minshuto, as it's known in Japanese. Focus here is on Party leader Ichiro Ozawa and his efforts to keep the disparate members and groups that constitute the DPJ moving in roughly the same direction, with the hope of challenging the LDP for leadership of Japan.

And this week we close with a clip of bluegrass from the incomparable John Duffy.

Volume 02, Number 26.

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Thanks for dropping by again this week. Sorry for the delay again with this program. I've got to develop a more efficient system for putting these together. Hopefully we'll return to Friday publication this week. Hopefully .....

This week we cover two items I hope will be of interest. The first is the Shiga gubernatorial election mentioned but not discussed last week. I describe how Japan's "Lady of the Lake," Professor Yuriko Kada, won that one and what it tells us about the future of Japan's electoral politics.

The second topic concerns the "Preemptive Attack Attack" Japan has experienced in the wake of North Korea's missile initiative. Quite a story of the relationship between domestic politics and foreign relations.

Continue to send your comments and suggestions to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. And visit the Japan Considered website at www.JapanConsidered.com.

Volume 02, Number 25.

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Thanks for tuning in again this week. Lots to cover. I had hoped to include comments on DPJ Leader Ichiro Ozawa's visit to Mainland China, and on the significance of the recent Shiga Prefecture gubernatorial election. But that will have to wait until next week. The North Korean missile crisis took all of our time for this program.

Useful material here this week, however. Including a long Skype phone interview with Dr. Michael Green, currently Japan Chair and Senior Adviser for the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., and an associate professor at Georgetown University. Prior to that he spent five years in the White House, serving from April 2001 to January 2004 as Director of Asian Affairs for both Japan and Korea. And from January 2004 to December 2005 as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the NSC’s Senior Director for Asian Affairs. So he knows the subject well.

Also a brief e-mailed comment from Dr. Robert Orr, president of Boeing Japan, and one of the best informed observers of Japan's politics and international relations going. See his Japan Considered interview by clicking here.

So, give a listen, or a read, and visit the Japan Considered website at www.JapanConsidered.org for more background material on these and other subjects.

Volume 02, Number 24.

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Welcome again for another edition of the Japan Considered Podcast. This week our show runs a little longer than usual. Sorry about that. We take a close look at the bilateral summit meeting between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U.S. President George W. Bush, and the implications of that meeting for our understanding of Japan's domestic politics and international relations. Things are changing in Japan, and we have to recognize and understand those changes in order to manage the relationship from the U.S. side.

A discussion of "gai-atsu" emerged from our consideration of this important summit meeting. "Gai-atsu" simply means external, or foreign, pressure in Japanese. But what role has it played in the bilateral U.S.-Japan relationship? How have changes in Japan, and in the United States, changed the significance of gai-atsu, and the effectiveness of gai-atsu as a tool in the American diplomatic tool box?

Please visit the Japan Considered website at www.JapanConsidered.org for additional English language information on Japan's domestic politics and international relations. No new interviews yet, but I hope to have an interesting one to add in a week or so.

Volume 02, Number 23

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Thanks for dropping by again today. This week we focus on comments made by a long-time listener in response to my comments last week on the LDP presidential race. Our listener has known both Shinzo Abe and Yasuo Fukuda for some time, and argues that they are very different LDP leaders. And points out the differences between a parliamentary and a presidential democratic political system.

Then Dr. Edward J. Lincoln, incoming director of the Center for Japan-US Business and Economic Studies at the Stern School of Business of New York University, joins us via Skype internet hookup to explain the economics of the political debate over growing economic inequality in Japan. In the Japan Considered website Interviews section, you can read and listen to an interview with Dr. Lincoln done last year.

Volume 02, Number 22.

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Thanks for dropping by today. Early last week, technological over-confidence resulted in a severe computer crisis. Two hard disks, including the one with all the backup files, rendered inoperable. A computer that wouldn't boot. All files lost forever. Or so it seemed for several days.

Thanks to advice and specific instructions from Japan Considered readers/listeners, and the efforts of the crack technical support staff here at USC, I have been able to recover all of the data. A relief! And testimony to the importance of off-site back-ups of essential files.

This week, in response to numerous listener questions since the beginning of the program, I describe the information sources upon which the Japan Considered Podcast is based, and the processes through which it is created each week. I think I've covered every question. But send an e-mail if I've missed something you have asked, or in which you have an interest: RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I'll try to respond.

We also return to the LDP presidential election race, and consider its significance for the future of Japan's domestic government and international relations.

Volume 02, Number 21.

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Thanks for joining me again today. We've got a long show. Lots going on in Tokyo that we must cover. We begin with some new offerings on the Japan Considered Project website. These include an excellent summary of a talk given by Professor Len Schoppa of the University of Virginia on May 31, 2006, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington D.C. The paper, entitled, "The 2006 Koizumi Succession in Historical Perspective," is in the "Occasional Papers" section of the site.

At the request of a listener, I provide what I hope are clear instructions on how to access the audio files for the program. Both for the IBM-PC and for the Mac.

Then we update Japan's relations with Mainland China and South Korea, and consider recent developments in preparations for Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to Washington later this month.

The bulk of the program is taken up with consideration of developments in the LDP presidential race. Professor Schoppa provided us with information about the participation of LDP prefectural branches in the presidential election, details he learned from Professor Yukiko Amakawa of the Chiba Institute of Science during his visit to CSIS at the end of last month. Professor Amakawa is a friend and adviser for Shinzo Abe. Professor Schoppa provides the details of Professor Amakawa's contribution in his paper.

We conclude with notice of unexpected parliamentary developments in the committee considering the conspiracy crime law we have mentioned from time to time on this program. The DPJ, it seems, ended up refusing to debate their own bill. A lesson to us all.

As always, continue to send your comments and suggestions to me at RobertC.Angel@gmail.com. I read them all and take them into consideration when preparing future shows. And, look through the Japan Considered Project website for more specific information on the topics we cover in this program.

Volume 02, Number 20.

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Thanks for joining me again this week. Your interest is what keeps this program going. Please continue to send your comments and suggestions to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I read them all and get valuable ideas for future programs.

Go to the Japan Considered Project website at www.JapanConsidered.org for additional reference material concerning Japan's domestic politics and international relations.

This week we begin with a look at preparations for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Washington, D.C. at the end of June, and what the preparations for the visit tell us about changes in Japan's behavior as an international actor.

Then we consider the events and significance of Foreign Minister Taro Aso's meetings with his foreign ministerial counterparts from Mainland China and South Korea earlier this week. With some background on the evolution of Japan's relationship with Mainland China.

And finally, I provide some more background on the conduct and significance of the contest to succeed Koizumi as president of the Liberal Democratic Party. LDP presidential contests are no longer what they used to be. And that's significant for the LDP, and for Japan.

Take a look at the new interview with Chinese/Japanese translator, Thomas Coffee, in the Japan Considered Interviews section. Tom is one of the very few Americans qualified to translate professionally from both Chinese and Japanese into English. As his interview demonstrates, he's as modest as he is good. He shares his insights into this important aspect of Japan studies, and also tells us which tools on the Web he finds most useful in his work. So enjoy.

May 19, 2006. Volume 02, Number 19.

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Thanks for tuning in again today, and for your interest in Japan's domestic politics and international relations. As I do each Friday, today I'll offer you some interpretation and analysis of events in Japan's political and international news.

This week we consider encouraging developments in Japan's relationship with the People's Republic of China, with some of my thoughts on how Japan's behavior as an international actor has chanced since the 1950s.

Then we review Ichiro Ozawa's debut at Diet "Question Time" as leader of the main Opposition Party, the DPJ. I give you some background on Opposition party boycotts -- and threats of boycotts -- of parliamentary debate since the 1950s. How has it worked in the past? Will the DPJ under Ozawa employ the same tactic in the near future in dealing with the LDP? And how will Japan's political news media evaluate the effort if he does? All questions worthy of consideration now, I think.

During the program I mentioned the recent Japan Considered interview with Dr. James E. Auer, director of the Center for U.S.-Japan Studies and Cooperation at Vanderbilt University. Click here to read and listen to that interesting interview.

I also mentioned a valuable resource Dr. Leonard Schoppa of the University of Virginia sent us last week. A chart of the history of the LDP's factions from 1959 to present. This too is a valuable contribution to our Occasional Papers section. You can access it directly by clicking on this paragraph, or in the Japan Considered Website's "Occasional Papers" section.

Also mentioned in the program was the video file of the "Question time" debate between Prime Minister Koizumi and DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa. You can access that file with a click on this paragraph.

May 12, 2006. Volume 02, Number 18

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Thanks for tuning in again this week. Apologies again for the technical glitch that caused problems with the transcript of last week's program. It has been fixed, and I hope we now have enough server space to keep it from happening again. I appreciate your patience.

This week we return to a focus on domestic politics. Specifically, an update on the LDP presidential race, with analysis of a surprising announcement from Yoshiro Mori, head of the LDP's largest faction, the Seiwakai.

Next we consider the current state of legislative politics in Japan. The legislative agenda of the Koizumi Cabinet, recent changes in the strategy of the largest Opposition Party, the Democratic Party of Japan, and the consequences of all this. Click here for the promised link for the Lower House Internet TV site.

I had hoped to have time to review recent developments in Japan-China relations. But that will have to wait until next week.

Please continue to send your comments and suggestions for the program to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I read them all and take them into consideration when planning new programs. The technical production advice a few of you have been providing is especially helpful. I hope it shows in the quality of the audio. I've still got lots to learn about this complex subject, so please continue sending suggestions.

This week's bluegrass clip at the end is from the Seldom Scene's 20th Anniversary album, available on Sugar Hill Records. Click on over and get a copy of the double-disk set. It's a gem.

May 5, 2006. Volume 02, Number 17

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Welcome back again for another edition of the Japan Considered Podcast. This one was delayed due to technical difficulties. I apologize to those of you who tuned in earlier to find nothing available. Several loyal listeners e-mailed to tell me the link was broken. Thanks, and good to hear from you.

This has been Golden Week in Japan. Tokyo empties of most of its population, or at least its official and business population. Domestic political news dwindles to a trickle, providing public relations practitioners and political spinmasters with great opportunities.

So, this week I decided to focus on international developments, and, of course, on their domestic political implications. We begin with a review of Prime Minister Koizumi's tour of Ethiopia, Ghana, and Sweden, and reaction to that tour, from Japan and from China.

Then we review progress, or lack thereof, in the territorial dispute between South Korea and Japan over Takeshima, or Dokto.

Lots more to cover, but it will have to wait until next week, together with a look at the post-Golden Week Diet, which should be interesting this year.

As always, look around the Japan Considered website for useful resources, check out the program transcripts, and send your comments to me at JapanConsidered@gmail.com

April 28, 2006. Volume 02, Number 16.

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Thanks for tuning in again. No program last week. I was in Washington, D.C., visiting old friends and attending a meeting of the Washington and Southeast Regional Japan Seminar. Current Chair, Professor Tomoka Hamada, arranged a splendid program, the best one in years.

This week I've focused on the outcome of the Chiba # 7 district by-election in which DPJ candidate, Kazumi Ota, bested LDP candidate, Ken Saito. And the significance of that election outcome for Japan's politics in the short and medium-term. My interpretation differs somewhat from that of most of Japan's political journalists and commentators. Or, at least, differs from what they were writing during the week following the election.

Volume 02, Number 15.

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Thanks for tuning in again, and for subscribing. I have to spend the latter half of next week in Washington, D.C. So there will be no Podcast on Friday, April 21. But I'll be back the Friday after that, April 28th. So stay subscribed.

This week we take a closer look at Ichiro Ozawa's first week as President of the Democratic Party of Japan. I focus on what his selection and presidency can tell us about the distinction between factionist and populist party leaders. Then we consider a surprising development in the North Korean abduction issues. And finally we take a web audio tour of this site, www.Japan Considered.org.

Best wishes for the Easter weekend, and drop back by on Friday, the 28th.

Volume 02, Number 14

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Thanks for tuning in again this week. Click on over to the Japan Considered Project, sponsor of this podcast, at www.JapanConsidered.org, and have a look around. The interviews with other specialists on Japan's domestic politics and international relations have been especially popular of late. And send your comments and suggestions to me at JapanConsidered@gmail.com.

News of the Democratic Party of Japan's efforts to select a new president has dominated Japan's media for the past week. We begin with a look at the selection of Ichiro Ozawa to succeed outgoing president Seiji Maehara. I apply the "factionist" versus "populist" categories introduced week before last to the leadership change.

Then we consider recent developments in Japan's management of relations with North Korea. Nothing exciting has happened this week. But I believe the accumulation of actions taken by the Government of Japan are worth considering together.

Finally we take a very short web sound tour of the ITV-Japan streaming video site. This is another useful resource available to us all free of charge.

As usual, we close out with a clip of bluegrass music, this time featuring John Starling and the late John Duffy. From their two-CD 20th anniversary album recorded for Sugar Hill Records.

Friday March 31, 2006. Volume 02, Number 13

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Thanks for tuning in again this week. Our subscriptions numbers still are climbing steadily. But many more of you are downloading the audio file and/or the transcripts directly. That's unusual for a podcast. But, I guess, the result is the same. Glad to have you listening. Please continue to send your comments and suggestions to me at JapanConsidered@gmail.com. I'm looking into adding a resource that will allow you to submit short audio comments as mp3 files. But that will take a while.

This week's events tended to pile up toward the end of the week. With important developments today, in fact. We consider first the background of Seiji Maehara's resignation today from the DPJ presidency, and its implications for national politics in Japan. Then we look at positive and less positive developments in Japan's relationship with China. And finally we consider the current legislative agenda. I'd hoped to cover recent developments in the relationship with North Korea, but that will have to wait.

Last week I ran across a podcast that those of you studying Japanese language should find useful. It is called Japanesepod101. You can find it by searching on iTunes, or through a Google search. Here is their website, which, I understand, is about to go through major revisions. A group of four language specialists produce a daily program. Quite an accomplishment. So have a look at:

Japanesepod101

March 24, 2006. Volume 02, Number 12

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Thanks for dropping by again this week. Send your comments and suggestions for the program to me at japanconsidered@gmail.com.

And check the Japan Considered Project website for additional information related to Japan's domestic politics and international relations. I have added an interview with Professor John Campbell of the University of Michigan to the Interviews page. That makes a total of thirteen interviews, so far. John also has contributed an Occasional Paper to the collection.

This week we complete our consideration of the race to succeed Junichiro Koizumi as president of the Liberal Democratic Party, and prime minister. I describe how two groups, that I call the "Factionists" and the "Populists," are pursuing their agendas through the LDP presidential succession race, and then consider the significance of this for Japan's domestic politics and international relations.

Next week we will return to the regular program format, with commentary and analysis that focuses on three or four events of importance from the past week's news.

Here are links to individuals and organizations mentioned during today's program:

Liberal Democratic Party

Japan Considered Project

Rounder Records

March 17, 2006. Volume 02, No. 11

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Welcome back for another week of the Japan Considered Podcast. Thanks again for subscribing, or for downloading the audio file. E-mail your suggestions and comments to me at japanconsidered@gmail.com.

This week we begin with response to a listener's question. Why all the coverage of the Democratic Party of Japan when they appear to be going nowhere.

After discussion of what we can learn from observing the DPJ, we shift to the first part of a two-week consideration of the race within the LDP to succeed Junichiro Koizumi as Party President. This includes profiles of the two leading candidates, and review of the April 2001 election that put Koizumi into office.

We conclude with a short clip from "Big Spike Hammer" from Volume Three of the Bluegrass Album: California Connection. You can order a copy of the CD from Rounder Records at the link below.

Some Links to individuals and organizations mentioned this week:

The Democratic Party of Japan

The Liberal Democratic Party

Shinzo Abe

Yasuo Fukuda

Yasuhiro Nakasone

Rounder Records

March 10, 2006. Volume 02, Number 10.

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Welcome again to the Japan Considered Podcast. This week we begin with Japan's reaction to the Chinese counterproposal on gas exploration in the East China Sea. Then we consider the significance of the Democratic Party of Japan's leadership problems, and interesting recent developments.

We close with a web audio tour of the resources offered on Japan Media Review site at the University of Southern California.

Here are a few links to individuals and organizations mentioned during today's podcast:

People's Republic of China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Democratic Party of Japan

The Japan Considered Project

Sugar Hill Records

March 3, 2006. Volume 02, Number 09

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Thanks for tuning in again this week. We begin with three important international items. First, Japan's reaction to comments made earlier in the week by South Korean President Roh concerning revision of Japan's Constitution.

Then we consider preparations for official bilateral negotiations with China over the East China Sea boundary dispute, and its signifiance.

Japan hosted Iran's Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, this week, hoping to mediate the dispute between Iran and much of the rest of the world over enrichment of uranium.

Finally, we return to the Nagata e-mail flap and consider its significance for the politics of the remainder of the current Diet session, and then its potential significance for national political leadership in Japan.

The closing bars of bluegrass are worth waiting for: Tony Rice singing "There's Nothin' Like a Hundred Miles" on his 1992 Rounder album, Native American.

Here are a few links to individuals and organizations mentioned during today's program:

Republic of South Korea, Office of the President

United Nations, Oceans and the Law of the Sea

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Rounder Records

The Japan Considered Project

February 24, 2006. Volume 02, Number 08

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Thanks for tuning in again this week. Today we'll focus primarily on the fall-out from the Nagata E-Mail flap we discussed preliminarily last week. There are more details available. And we'll consider the hows, whys, and implications of this extraordinary political event.

Following that I take you on a short audio web tour of the English language site of the Lower House of Japan's Parliament, or Diet. I'll show you an easy way to get to the site, and introduce some of its more useful features. Not the least of those is the video library maintained by the site. Here we can view streaming video of the more important committee hearings and plenary sessions. A very useful experience for those interested in learning more about Japan's domestic politics. Even for those who don't understand everything being said in Japanese.

We close out the program, as usual, with a short clip of bluegrass music. This week we have a few bars of Tony Rice performing "John Wilkes Booth" from his 1992 Rounder album, "Native American."

Here are a few links to individuals and organizations mentioned on today's program.

The Democratic Party of Japan

Website of DPJ Member, Hisayasu Nagata [only in Japanese]

The Liberal Democratic Party

Rounder Records

The Japan Considered Project

February 17, 2006. Volume 02, No 07

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Thanks for tuning in again. This week we focus on international developments, and look at the implications of a dramatic event on the domestic political scene.

We begin with a look at recent developments in Japan's relationship with North Korea, as Japan evaluates the results of the most recent bilateral meetings. Then we consider the apparent thaw in relations with China and what it tells us about Japan's overall diplomacy.

Japan's hope of becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council is an issue we have yet to cover on this program. This week we take a look at recent developments there, including Japan's reaction to the South Korean announcement that incumbent foreign minister, Ban Ki Moon, has tossed his hat in the ring.

Finally, today we consider the implications of DPJ member Hisayasu Nagata's surprise announcement in the Lower House Budget Committee meeting on Thursday. Nagata charged, on the basis of an e-mail he received from a free-lance journalist, that LDP Secretary General Tsutomo Takebe's second son received 30 million yen from the discredited president of Livedoor, Takafumi Horie. This event will dominate Japan's domestic political news for at least the next week or two, and it could well have longer-term effect on Japanese politics.

Here are a few links to individuals and organizations mentioned this week:

The Liberal Democratic Party

Web Page of DPJ Member Hisayasu Nagata [only in Japanese]

The Democratic Party of Japan

Government of North Korea

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

North Korean Residents Association [only Japanese and Korean]

Friday, February 10, 2006. Volume 02, Number 06

Thanks for tuning in again. We've run a little over the 20-minute objective this time. But I hope the content justifies the extension.

Today we consider four quite controversial issues in Japan's domestic politics and diplomacy. The first is the fate of the bill to revise the rules of imperial succession to allow female members of the imperial family ascend the throne. Second is the political significance of the latest defense procurement scandal. Third is the effect of the tainted beef import issue on the U.S.-Japan relationship. And finally we review results of the effort to hold bilateral talks with representatives of North Korea.

All interesting issues that provide us with insights into Japan's domestic politics and conduct of foreign affairs.

Here are some links to individuals and organizations mentioned in today's program.

The Imperial Household Agency

The Japan Defense Agency

The U.S. Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Cattlemen's Beef Board

The Liberal Democratic Party

The Democratic Party of Japan

Government of North Korea

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

North Korean Residents Association [only Japanese and Korean]


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Friday, February 3, 2006; Volume 02, Number 05

Thanks for tuning in, and for subscribing. This week we made the 20-minute limit!

Today we clean up a few corrections, errors from past shows that listeners have been kind enough to point out.

Then we review significant changes in Japan's relationship with the People's Republic of China, and then take an in-depth look at significant recent developments in two of Japan's other opposition parties, the Social Democratic Party and the Japan Communist Party.

And we close with a clip from John Starling of the Seldom Scene singing "Gardens and Memories."

Here are a few links to individuals and organizations mentioned on today's show:

The Japan Considered Project Website

News on Japan

The Social Democratic Party of Japan [in Japanese]

The Japan Communist Party

The JCP's Japan Press Weekly

Sugar Hill Records

Click here for the audio file for today's program.

Click here for the transcript for today's program.

Friday, February 3, 2006; Volume 02, Number 05

Thanks for tuning in, and for subscribing. This week we made the 20-minute limit!

Today we clean up a few corrections, errors from past shows that listeners have been kind enough to point out.

Then we review significant changes in Japan's relationship with the People's Republic of China, and then take an in-depth look at significant recent developments in two of Japan's other opposition parties, the Social Democratic Party and the Japan Communist Party.

And we close with a clip from John Starling of the Seldom Scene singing "Gardens and Memories."

Here are a few links to individuals and organizations mentioned on today's show:

The Japan Considered Project Website

News on Japan

The Social Democratic Party of Japan [in Japanese]

The Japan Communist Party

The JCP's Japan Press Weekly

Sugar Hill Records

Click here for the audio file for today's program.

Click here for the transcript for today's program.

Friday, January 27, 2006. Volume 02, Number 03

Special welcome to first-time listeners, and welcome back to returning listeners. This week again has been busy for political and diplomatic Japan. But, following advice from faithful listener and mentor on things Asian and the communications media, Sol Sanders, I've kept the program to just over 20 minutes.

Responding to another listener suggestion, you now can read or download transcripts of this and the previous three programs by clicking on the transcript link below, or by going to the podcast page of the Japan Considered Project webpage at www.JapanConsidered.org.

We begin with an update on the Livedoor Company/Horie scandal [last week it was just a 'fracas'; this week it became a full-blown 'scandal'] that includes comments by Dr. Edward Lincoln of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Then we review the eruption of another incident in the long-running saga of the export of American beef to Japan. We review the background of that bilateral issue as a key feature of the "gai-atsu," or foreign pressure, pattern in U.S.-Japan relations.

We then consider how Japan's political Opposition is combining the beef export issue with the condominium earthquake resistance data falsification scandal and the Livedoor stock manipulation scandal to create a three-pronged trident with which to torment Prime Minister Koizumi's reform plans for the current Diet session.

For several weeks we have been thwarted by a lack of time in our efforts to take a more comprehensive look at problems and opportunities facing Japan's leading opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan. This week we made it. In the main segment of today's podcast we consider the challenges facing DPJ President Seiji Maehara, as he tries to lead his Party to adapt to changes in Japan's electoral environment. Divisions in Party ideology and policy orientation combine with the self-interest and traditional orientations of older Party leaders to challenge his popular, or even populist approach. An approach that brings Junichiro Koizumi's strategy to mind.

Then, as usual, we close with some inspiring bluegrass music from North Carolina's Wind Riders, a great band.

Here are a few links to individuals and organizations mentioned in today's podcast.

Council on Foreign Relations

Dr. Edward Lincoln

Interview with Dr. Lincoln on Japan Considered

United States Embassy, Tokyo

United States Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Cattlemen's Beef Board

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture

The Democratic Party of Japan

The North Carolina Wind Riders

Remember to continue to send me your comments and suggestions for the program at japanconsidered@gmail.com. And click through the other sections of the Japan Considered Project website at www.JapanConsidered.ORG.

Click here for the audio file for today's program.

Click here for a transcript of today's program.

Friday, January 20, 2006. Volume 01, Number 03

Another busy week, and a program that runs a few more minutes than the target of twenty minutes. This time we look at the opening day of the 164th Ordinary Session of Japan's Parliament, with focus on Prime Minister Koizumi's policy address, and prospects for this session.

Then we consider the political significance of the Livedoor Co. securities flap that erupted Monday afternoon in Tokyo. Livedoor President Horie ran unsuccessfully for Parliament in the last election as an independent candidate, but with considerable support and encouragement from the LDP. Horie is a name we're bound to hear more of during this session of the Diet.

Then we return to the topic we began last week, what early maneuvering in the LDP presidency race tells us about how Japan's political environment has changed. I suggest that Koizumi and politicians who share his perspective have a better understanding of those changes than do the traditionalists. But also predict that the traditionalists will continue to exercise influence over the selection process.

Below are links to individuals and organizations mentioned during this program:

Japan Considered Project Website

Columbia, South Carolina Weather

Livedoor Co. [in Japanese]

The Liberal Democratic Party

Japan's Parliament: Lower House

Japan's Parliament: Upper House

Click here for the audio file for this program

Click here for a transcript of this program

Friday, January 13, 2006. Volume 02, Number 02

Spring classes have begun here at the University of South Carolina. Students are back, and the USC campus is altogether a brighter place. I have an undergraduate class in Japan's foreign relations this semester. About 50 students. Looks like a good group.

This week we run a bit longer than usual, beginning with an update on negotiations with China over exploitation of natural resources in the East China Sea, and then a look at what the handling of the Shanghai Consulate Incident of 2004 tells us about relations between Japan's central political executive and the Foreign Ministry.

Then we begin a review of the Liberal Democratic Party's preparations for a party presidential election to be held this September. Conditions have changed somewhat, and to better understand the current situation we look back at the April 2001 LDP presidential election that placed Junichiro Koizumi in the prime minister's office.

As usual we close with some progressive bluegrass, this time the opening of Billy Parks' "That Memphis Sound." You can hear the whole song on the webpage he maintains for the Dirty River Band, listed below.

Some links to individuals and organizations mentioned in today's podcast:

Dirty River Band

USC's Department of Political Science

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Office of the Prime Minister

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party

The Japan Considered Project

Click here for the audio file for this program

Click here for a transcript of this program

Friday, January 6, 2006 Volume 02, Number 01

During this first program of the New Year, we focus again on recent developments in Japan's relationship with the People's Republic of China, and how changes in Japan's domestic political environment and political leadership have influenced events.

Next week we will turn to the LDP and DPJ party presidential succession battles, reviewing the candidates, how they are conducting their campaigns, and how the competition has changed since Prime Minister Koizumi's incumbency.

A listener last week suggested that I post transcripts of each podcast, and make them available in the show notes. Would show transcripts be useful? Send me an e-mail at with your opinion, as well as your comments and suggestions on the show.

Check the Japan Considered website for more English language resources on political and Diplomatic Japan, at http://www.japanconsidered.org/. I just posted an interview there with Professor Nathaniel B. Thayer, author of How the Conservatives Rule Japan, in which he discusses his early experiences in Japan and how he got into the field.

Links to individuals and organizations mentioned this week:

The Prime Minister's Office, or Kantei, Website

People's Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Website of the Okinotorishima Island

Japan Considered Project Interview with Professor Nathaniel B. Thayer

Click here for the Audio File for this Program

Click here for a transcript of this Program