Japan will lift curbs on its arms exports. Takaichi resists more aggressive steps to conserve energy as the crisis continues. New polls show warning signs about the PM's popularity at the same time that concerns grow within the LDP about her leadership.
observingjapan.substack.com/p/takaichi-a...
Hugely productive trip, came back with some great additions to my library for my current project.
That's why I said it's bonkers, period, but there's something especially nutty one year after the end of the occupation.
I think this might have been too much for Eisenhower, who in the same conversation recognized Japan would have to trade with the PRC sooner or later.
I hope people laughed when he said this.
"Nationalism and decolonization are sweeping through Asia. Japan's former colonial subjects are furious at and terrified of Japan. The Japanese people aren't eager to remilitarize."
"Have we thought about restoring Japan's colonial empire?"
I guess you couldn't ask for a more vivid illustration of how Washington viewed the problem of Japan's development.
This is a bonkers thing for the national security adviser to propose, but especially in -- checks notes -- 1953.
I believe it. I've been at 20000+ steps every day of this trip, some of which is running but the majority of which is just walking everywhere.
That's what cool biz is for
🤫
I love Tokyo's trains but it really is a superb walking city and I will walk rather than train whenever time permits.
I see you @kazutosuzuki.bsky.social
YouTube recommended that I watch this lol
youtu.be/9TX66q5keQ4?...
I enjoy the contrast between the formal-looking banner and the text.
I had a near-miraculous experience in Jimbocho tonight. An out-of-print biography of Ikeda that I've been looking for was just sitting in one of the outside stalls in plain sight. The chances of actually finding something I'm looking for -- by accident -- feel remote.
Never mind that I'm probably going to destroy my vision trying to read it
Twenty years of postwar political primary sources in a single 700+ page volume? Don't mind if I do.
I forgot about this dude and when he decided to make himself a contestant on a Korean version of The Running Man.
Good for Korea.
Takaichi announces a new push on constitutional revision, Akazawa earns a reprimand for comments about monetary policy, and another poll shows the public strongly behind the prime minister, particularly in her response to the Hormuz crisis.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
I was paraphrasing. It literally refers to the "mad leader" narrative.
A+ photo selection for Nikkan Gendai in a "madness of King Donald" story.
Okay, but Greeley missed an opportunity to have a Mad Magazine fold in cover.
And just for a little bit of money
Colossal dumbasses leave death and destruction in their wake.
I finally, finally saw Fargo as I work my way through the Coen brothers back catalog and between "Fargo" and "Burn after reading" they really are the visionaries of our time.
They're just doing circles in Akasaka, Nagatacho, and Kasumigaseki.
