The Japan Considered Podcast Archive
August 2006
Weekly programs of analysis and commentary on Japan’s domestic politics and foreign relations. Role of the prime minister and cabinet, changes in Japan's domestic political environment, connecting voters and candidates, constitutional revision, and Japan’s relations with other Asian nations. These broadcasts are created by Japan Considered Project creator/maintainer, Robert Angel, and include short interviews with other specialists on Japanese politics and international relations
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Or, you can search for "Japan Considered" in the podcast section of the iTunes music store and subscribe from there.
If none of that makes sense, then on the Japan Considered Podcast page [click here] you can read the show notes for each weekly program, and download the audio file to your computer by clicking on the link. The audio files are in compact MP3 format, but still range in size from 8 to 25 meg, so they'll take a while to download.
Beginning with the first show of 2006, I have included a transcript of the whole program for those of you who would rather read than listen.
Thanks for listening, and send comments and suggestions to me via e-mail at RobertCAngel@gmail.com.
Show Notes
August 25, 2006. Volume 02, Number 31.
Click here for the audio file for this program.Click here for a transcript of this program.
Welcome again to the Japan Considered Podcast. Today we return to Japan's international relations with brief updates on the Russian arrest of the Hokkaido fishing boat and negotiations for return of the crew, and the territorial dispute with Mainland China in the East China Sea. Following a quick look in on the LDP presidential race we begin our look at the Democratic Party of Japan. Focusing on three areas: leadership; diversity in membership; and agreement on unified policies for the Party. We conclude with response to a listener question last week about the origins of the Japan Considered Project and my qualifications to produce the podcast.
Finally, in response to several listener questions a week about the technical aspects of producing the podcast, I provide information about Bruce Williams' website and his "Building the Pod" podcast. You can find Bruce's material at www.audio2u.com. An excellent site, highly recommended to those of you who wish to improve the sound quality of your production.
August 18, 2006. Volume 02, Number 30.
Click here for the audio file for this program.
Click here for a transcript of this program.
Thanks for tuning in again. This is the week in which Japan celebrates its annual O-Bon festival. Folks leave the metropolitan areas to return home, there to commune with the spirits of their ancestors and with their extended families. Nothing much is supposed to happen, because Tokyo has become a ghost town of another sort. Well, that didn't happen this week. Lots going on, much of it of importance to our program.
This week we begin with a discussion of Japan's response to the incident in which a Russian patrol boat fired on a Japanese fishing vessel, off Hokkaido, killing one of the crewmen. Then we discuss the real significance of Prime Minister Koizumi's visit on Tuesday, August 15th, to Yasukuni Shrine. And we close with consideration of the role Prime Minister Koizumi will play in Japan's domestic politics and international relations once he leaves the premiership. It will be important, I think. And virtually nothing has been written about it in the Japanese political press.
As always, send your comments to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com, and visit the Japan Considered Project at www.JapanConsidered.com for additional information about Japan's politics and foreign relations.
August 11, 2006. Volume 02, Number 29.
Click here for the audio file for this program.
Click here for a transcript of this program.
Glad to have you back again this week. I've enjoyed a long ten-day vacation, traveling clear to the heart of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. But it's good to be back with you to consider the longer-term significance of recent events in Japan's domestic politics and international relations.
This week we don't have time to cover international events since so much has happened in the LDP presidential race. Hopefully more time for that next week.
Please continue to send your comments to me at RobertCAngel@gmail.com, and click through the Japan Considered Project website for additional information at www.JapanConsidered.com
