March 3, 2006. Volume 02, Number 09

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 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