January 26, 2007 . Volume 03, Number 04.

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Welcome again this week to another edition of the Japan Considered Podcast. Click on over to www.JapanConsidered.org to directly download the audio file to your own computer, or to read the text transcript of the program. And continue sending your comments and suggestions to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I read them all, though it sometimes takes a while to get out a response. The more the better, though. Lots of good ideas for future programs comes through that route. Thanks.

This week we focus on the policy speeches given to the Diet today, January 26, by Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Aso. Not just the content of the speech. You can read that most anywhere. But the significance of the items they chose to highlight in their speeches.

We also look at the results of the Miyazaki Prefectural gubernatorial election, and the surprise win of a comedian known as Sonommama Higashi. With no organized political party support. What does that tell us about the evolution of Japan's electoral politics?

And we close with a splendid bluegrass clip from the Wind Riders of North Carolina. They really do -- I'll admit! -- know how to play bluegrass up there.