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.