JapanNewbie

What I’ve noticed in Korea and Japan, and what it looks like from the outside is happening in China – All major Asian powers want to make themselves out to be the victim so that it gives them a “justifiable reason” to flat out despise other countries. It’s like a bunch of suit-clad politicians fighting in the schoolyard sandbox.

There is pride in every country, that’s just human nature. But it seems like a lot more Americans can criticize their own country compared to many other nations. I must say, though, that Canadians, English, and Australians criticize America just as well, if not better than Americans themselves.

In Al Franken’s book Lies and the Lying Liars…, he brings up a good point that it’s sad that people look to comedy channels for news, and look at news channels for comedy. But, the Daily Show and Colbert Report really expose a lot of people to the absurdity of American politics, and I think they are wonderful programs (even though some extreme right-wingers actually think that Steven Colbert is being sincere…just shows you how disconected they are from human emotions).

Japan needs a show like The Daily Show, CNNNN, or Da Ali G Show – Something to lighten the mood on the world of politics, and to just make fun of absurd national policies and the people supporting them. I suppose that what it comes down to is that Japanese need a slightly more bitter sense of humor.

Harvey! Dig the website!

Just to clarify, the resolution in the US Congress has been on the books for quite some time (I think since January or February, if I’m not mistaken). Hence, this “advertisement” in the Washington Post is a response to the resolution, not the other way around as you indicated.

And to open up dialogue a bit more, why do you think Mike Honda authored this (nonbinding, might I add) resolution to begin with? Why has this become a national issue for the American people? Are we saying that since Japan doesn’t have a culture of political dissent other countries have to step in?

I agree that criticism of government (especially our current president) is quite widespread and, more importantly, tolerated in the US (at least to a certain extent — see Patriot Act). But — and this is something I felt very strongly after the results of the last presidential election — what are we accomplishing with this freedom?

I should stop there, but thanks for the interesting post. I need to read up more on these issues…!

Hope Osaka is treating you well. :)

Congressman Mike Honda interview.

Maybe this topic has had more interest in Europe than in the USA over the years.
Maybe, but it’s come up periodically in the US over the last decade or so. The government of California created quite a stir back in 1999 when it demanded Japan apologize and make amends for war-time atrocities, including the “comfort women” issue.
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comfort women (what a lousy word by the way)
Indeed! And the Japanese certainly realize this, which is why public figures and the press are usually careful to say something like 「いわゆる従軍慰安婦」, or “the so-called ‘comfort women’”.