Category Archives: Japanese Politics

I am really glad I do/did not have to translate this passage from the Prime Minister’s remarks at today’s ceremony commemorating Japan’s war dead. 皆様の子、孫たちは、皆様の祖国を、自由で民主的な国に造り上げ、平和と繁栄を享受しています。それは、皆様の尊い犠牲の上に、その上にのみ、あり得たものだということを、わたくしたちは、片時も忘れません。 Similarly in case of heart patients or other such chronic issue, it is best to … Continue reading →

The LDP’s Komura has apparently criticized the DPJ for even asking whether or not the SDF could transport nuclear weapons for the U.S. under the new legislation. Since Japan has the three non-nuclear principles — principles that he did not … Continue reading →

Some of the people responsible for coming up with the money to pay for the Olympic stadium budget overrun have apparently suggested auctioning off “naming rights.” I assume there would be some restrictions in addition to money, but I wonder … Continue reading →

Many observers are linking the shootings in South Carolina shootings to the refusal by some people to accept the fact that the Confederacy lost the Civil War — to the effort by some to pretend the Confederacy’s symbols and ideology … Continue reading →

I was formatting some material in double columns (Japanese and English side by side) for easy comparison and thought to include PM Abe’s October 2014 address to the International Bar Association. Which meant reading it. Two interesting points: First, he … Continue reading →

So Japanese relief people are finally in Nepal. Better late than never, I suppose, but it would be smart if all Japanese embassies and other diplomatic missions would set aside a smallish room (I am assuming such things exist at … Continue reading →

Some of the candidates for local offices are saying that voters should vote for them because they are LDP-sponsored and have a direct line to the top — which includes getting more money for their districts. Voters should remember, however, … Continue reading →