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- THE TOKYO PROBLEM - ANOTHER VIEW
- By:Mark Buckton
- The
UMJ Volume 5.1
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Discriminatory,
racist and xenophobic.
These are all words many would use to describe
the present Tokyo governer whose ego I have no intention
of increasing by naming.
The person in question has built a political
career on his ability to hurt, offend and insult those
different to the norms of society as he thinks it should
be. Therefore,
his recent comments concerning sangokujin and the
potentially riotous foreigners in the event of an
earthquake, although apparently misquoted
should, whilst still being painful and offensive
not really surprise anybody as, in all likelihood he
will continue to make such comments throughout the
remainder of his life in what some may see as an attempt
to secure for himself some of the attention piled upon
his phenomenally more successful and popular late
brother Yujiro. Instead,
the general public should focus on why he made these
comments and for that question the answer, to myself at
least, appears simple; his own significant failings.
As governor of Tokyo when he fails he does soin a
big way and it is these failings he is attempting to
draw attention away from with his outspoken remarks in
actions not unlike those of the schoolyard bully.
Public failings include his inability to preserve
and build upon the sister-city relationship Tokyo has
with the Chinese capital, the ongoing scandals and
subsequent embarrasment surrounding his autograph
hunting, information leaking police force and his
harmony shattering attempt at introducing a new
controversial bank tax. So,
when a person has such inability linked problems is it
surprising that he lashes out at others?
With adolescents not really, but with old men
charged with the running of a city in an effective and
responsible manner, yes it is.
And, in that my friends lies the answer - judge
not on appearance but on ability and give sympathy where
due. |
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