My hometown newspaper has something of a problem with Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. No, strike that. My hometown newspaper has a huge problem with Abe Shinzo. The editors of the Tokyo Shimbun could have chosen any number of the images from the PM's visit to the Nico Nico Douga event at Makuhari Messe. However, they thought the above -- which I am sure made Abe public relations wizard Iijima Isao wince and wish he were somewhere else -- was perfect for the middle of Sunday's politics page.
Sakusen, seiko!
Later - No, I do not want to think about why the Self Defense Forces had one of its latest generation tanks on display at a geeks, gamers and net vidiots convention. Perhaps the Minister for Cool Japan (yes, there is one) can explain it. Indeed, given the identity of the Minister for Cool Japan, I am pretty sure she can.
Later still - Video of Abe's visit to the event, courtesy TBS. (Link - J video)
Much, much later - TBS has removed the video but private videos are up on YouTube and other video sharing sites.
A scathing exegesis of Abe's tank photo op can be found at The Point. (Link)
Image courtesy: Kyodo News
TBS has already taken this video down. Can you retrieve it in anyway?
ReplyDeleteArmchair Asia –
ReplyDeleteSorry I do not have a copy of the TBS video. Here, however, is some very clear private video from YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScHFDIPC7Ak
which shows that the military display are was of not just SDF but what seems to be USFJ.
Yes, I know what you are thinking: "Who signed off on that?"