April 27, 2007. Volume 03, Number 15

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Welcome back, after a two-week absence. Good to be behind the microphone again for another edition of the Japan Considered Podcast. This one from our South Carolina home. No traveling this week!

A lot's happened since our last program. So let's get right to it. We'll begin this week with review of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's first trip to Washington as prime minister. Lots to consider there, including the diverse interpretations of the bilateral relationship now coming from Washington.

Then, as promised on the last program, we'll consider the second round of unified prefectural and local elections that Japan held on Sunday, the 22nd. What they tell us about the current state of domestic politics in Japan. Talk about diverse interpretations!

I'd hoped to include a section on developments concerning collective security, and Japan's participation, this week. But ran out of time. Next week! Along with developments this week and next in the field of energy diplomacy. Both very important topics.

April 13, 2007. Volume 03, Number 14

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Welcome to another edition of the Japan Considered Podcast. I'm here again at Sesquicentennial State Park, "narrow-casting" from our Little Tin House, Aliner. Which has become something of a mobile studio. Hopefully, the sound this week will be better. Since we have several important topics to cover.

First, we'll consider passage of a Constitutional Referendum Bill through the Lower House, and its significance. Then we'll shift to post-election assessment of the prefectural and local unified elections held Sunday. What they tell us about Japan's political future. If anything. And finally, we'll consider the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Japan. What was accomplished. And what remains.

As always, send me your comments and suggestions for the program at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. I read them all, and try to respond to each one. Visit the Japan Considered Project website at www.JapanConsidered.com. Not much progress this week. But I was able to record an excellent interview with Gregg Rubinstein earlier in the week that will go up as soon as time permits.

April 6, 2006 Volume 03, Number 13

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Thanks for dropping by again this week. Especially after the terrible sound quality of last week's program. Sorry about that. I'll try to do better next time I produce a program out in the wild, in Our Little Tin House.

This week I provide some comments in response to e-mail feedback on last week's program concerning administrative reform. And also include more recent developments in that important area. The English language press has yet to discover the issue, or to recognize its importance. But there's plenty in Japanese to keep us busy.

I'd hoped to provide more background information about Japan's prefectural and local elections. But, there's little information of interest in Japan's political press. Even in Japanese. So we'll have to wait until next week when we have the election results, and some preliminary analysis of their significance.

In conclusion we look again at preparations for Chinese Premier Wen's visit to Tokyo next week, and what those preparations tell us about the current state of relations between the two countries. And close with an inspiring clip from Patsy Cline that's sure to stay with you through most of next week.

Continue to send your comments and suggestions to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com. They're very helpful, and I enjoy hearing what you think.