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January 11, 2007 . Volume 03, Number 02.Welcome
again to the Japan Considered Podcast. And a day early this week. I
leave for a conference early tomorrow morning. So it's today or never
for this week's program. And we have material that just can't wait. After
considering continuing reports of LDP political "sloppy bookkeeping"
and what it means for Japan's electoral politics, we take a preliminary
look at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's tour of Europe and NATO. More on
that next week after we have better information.
The biggest
treat,however -- well, other than the bluegrass -- this week is an
interview with Mr. Gregg Rubinstein, Director of GAR Associates in
Washington, D.C. Gregg joined us via the SkypePhone yesterday, and
discusses the significance of the elevation of Japan's Defense Agency
to ministerial status. As before, Gregg provides us with lots of useful
information and interpretation.
And we close with an
instrumental that features John Duffey's incomparable mandolin playing.
This again from the Seldom Scene's "Live at the Cellar Door," recorded
back in the 1970s.
Enjoy, and I hope you join me next week
when we will again consider the longer-term significance of events in
the news for Japan's domestic politics and conduct of international
relations. |