061208JapanConsideredPodcastVol02No43

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.