February 24, 2006. Volume 02, Number 08

Thanks for tuning in again this week. Today we'll focus primarily on the fall-out from the Nagata E-Mail flap we discussed preliminarily last week. There are more details available. And we'll consider the hows, whys, and implications of this extraordinary political event.

Following that I take you on a short audio web tour of the English language site of the Lower House of Japan's Parliament, or Diet. I'll show you an easy way to get to the site, and introduce some of its more useful features. Not the least of those is the video library maintained by the site. Here we can view streaming video of the more important committee hearings and plenary sessions. A very useful experience for those interested in learning more about Japan's domestic politics. Even for those who don't understand everything being said in Japanese.

We close out the program, as usual, with a short clip of bluegrass music. This week we have a few bars of Tony Rice performing "John Wilkes Booth" from his 1992 Rounder album, "Native American."

Here are a few links to individuals and organizations mentioned on today's program.

The Democratic Party of Japan

Website of DPJ Member, Hisayasu Nagata [only in Japanese]

The Liberal Democratic Party

Rounder Records

The Japan Considered Project

February 17, 2006. Volume 02, No 07

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]

Friday, February 10, 2006. Volume 02, Number 06

Thanks for tuning in again. We've run a little over the 20-minute objective this time. But I hope the content justifies the extension.

Today we consider four quite controversial issues in Japan's domestic politics and diplomacy. The first is the fate of the bill to revise the rules of imperial succession to allow female members of the imperial family ascend the throne. Second is the political significance of the latest defense procurement scandal. Third is the effect of the tainted beef import issue on the U.S.-Japan relationship. And finally we review results of the effort to hold bilateral talks with representatives of North Korea.

All interesting issues that provide us with insights into Japan's domestic politics and conduct of foreign affairs.

Here are some links to individuals and organizations mentioned in today's program.

The Imperial Household Agency

The Japan Defense Agency

The U.S. Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Cattlemen's Beef Board

The Liberal Democratic Party

The Democratic Party of Japan

Government of North Korea

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

North Korean Residents Association [only Japanese and Korean]

Friday, February 3, 2006; Volume 02, Number 05

Thanks for tuning in, and for subscribing. This week we made the 20-minute limit!

Today we clean up a few corrections, errors from past shows that listeners have been kind enough to point out.

Then we review significant changes in Japan's relationship with the People's Republic of China, and then take an in-depth look at significant recent developments in two of Japan's other opposition parties, the Social Democratic Party and the Japan Communist Party.

And we close with a clip from John Starling of the Seldom Scene singing "Gardens and Memories."

Here are a few links to individuals and organizations mentioned on today's show:

The Japan Considered Project Website

News on Japan

The Social Democratic Party of Japan [in Japanese]

The Japan Communist Party

The JCP's Japan Press Weekly

Sugar Hill Records