080523JapanConsideredPodcastVol04No17

May 23rd, 2008. Volume 04, Number 17Click here for a transcript of this program. Thanks for tuning in again this week. Lots of travel and activity. Even though it is summer here! This week we wrap up Chinese President Hu Jintao's historic visit to Japan. What was accomplished; what wasn't. And conclude it was an important success for both countries. Before that, though, we look again at the Space Bill that passed Japan's parliament on Wednesday, and what the bill means for Japan's national security and for its conduct of international relations. Especially in Asia. There's been blessed little coverage of this bill in the English language press. Probably because it's summer. But it really is quite important. And finally, we take a preliminary look at Japan's response to China's earthquake disaster in Sichuan Province on May 12th. The bilateral atmospherics appear to have been positive, and that's important. Next time we'll consider the strange events surrounding news that China had asked Japan to use SDF military planes in the relief effort. And what happened to that. This week I have a clip of bluegrass from the "Infamous Stringdusters" that just can't wait. A clip from their latest, second, album. So, enjoy.