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December 8, 2006. Volume 02, Number 43.Good
Morning again from the Midlands of South Carolina. Thanks for dropping
by. Sorry to have missed last week. Again, the day job seemed to get in
the way. End-of-semester tasks such as research papers, grading, and
writing exams. Those of you who teach for a living will understand.This
week, though, we will continue to consider the internal workings of
Japan's major opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan. And how
interaction there among the diverse interests represented will affect
political and legislative outcomes in Japan.We also take a look
at the sharp drop in public approval of the Abe Cabinet. Its
determinants, and its significance for short- and medium-term politics
in Japan. Key here is a closer look at the Party's decision to allow
eleven of the former "Postal Rebels" to return to full Party membership.Then
we turn to pending legislation of significance for the Abe
Administration. First the efforts to revise the Basic Education Law,
and then legislation that would upgrade Japan's Defense Agency to full
ministerial status.A warning: No time for bluegrass this week. But I'll try to have something nice next week as partial compensation. |