February 17, 2006. Volume 02, No 07

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

Click here for a transcript of today's program.

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]