The Japanese ruling party has replaced the failed prime minster with a new leader--Yokoshida Noda.

The previous leader was forced to resign after coming under tremendous criticism for his very poor handling of the Japanese nuclear and earthquake/tsunami crises in the spring.

Noda is a very earthy man--by his own description--who believes in going to the heart of matters and getting things done without the kind of worrying about rationalizingand cya-ing that his predecessor displayed.

From this event it's obvious that the Japanese--contrary to opinions expressed here in the spring--are not hesitating to harshly and publicly criticize any of its leaders who are seen as not working towards repairing the many broken aspects of Japan due to the triple crises.

President Obama has already talked with Noda via telephone and has pledged to work with him in any way that will help Japan recover.

The change in leadership plus an in-depth analysis of the possible effects on Japan as a whole is reported on NHK World--the Japanese news report that is broadcast by PBS.

www.nytimes.com/2011/09/03/world/asia/03...

Kan is a deathbed convert to green.

Like in the last THREE MONTHS.

What a guy!

I'll be back later with a better link to NHK World.

Sep 7, 2011 -- 8:58AM, Wanderingal wrote:

Yesterday and today NHK World is reporting on the newest challenge to the new government--the recent earthquake.

Which recent, new earthquake?

Could you give a news link or so?

I am only aware of the recent typhoon (search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn201109...)...

Sep 6, 2011 -- 9:21AM, Wanderingal wrote:

Kan is a deathbed convert to green.

Like in the last THREE MONTHS.

What a guy!

Yes, he is a convert. Better late than never. No need to belittle that... truth has this way of persisting despite convictions, while convictions can occasionally adjust to truths. It is good when this happens, every once in a while, 100% good.

Besides, it is foolish to believe in "leadership" as a solution to any real problem. The exchange of leaders only solves psychological issues that the electorate may suffer from, but in general won't make the nature of the problems change. In modern democratic societies, there rarely are governments that would crucially depend on 'leaders'. Decisions are jointly made by a collective of experts and representatives. A change of face is just cosmetics, nice for onlookers who don't really care for the underlying issues.