There's been another round of commotion related to the dispute over the Diaoyu Islands (in Japanese it's called Senkaku) between China and Japan. It all started with a Tokyo mayor trying to 'buy' the island from some supposed private citizen who 'owns' it. We know these islands' administrative control was simply given to the Japanese by the U.S., and in the Chinese … [Read more...] about On the recent Diaoyu Islands Dispute
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Interesting encounters in Japan
My strategy for fighting jet lag returning from Asia is to have a large breakfast followed by a large lunch on the departure date. Minimal fluid around lunch and depart in the afternoon. Sleep little the night before. And then sleep all the way in a window seat on the plane. On numerous occasions, I managed to be out before take off and waking up as the plane approaches San … [Read more...] about Interesting encounters in Japan
Seiji Maehara, Japanese Foreign Minister resigns; for 250k Yen or Kuril Islands?
On March 6, 2011, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara resigned officially due to accepting donation from a Korean national. Most countries have laws banning officials from accepting foreign donations directly or indirectly. Obama was forced to return some donations in 2008 for this same reason. Maehara's receiving of 250k Yen is paltry though, and I don't think that is … [Read more...] about Seiji Maehara, Japanese Foreign Minister resigns; for 250k Yen or Kuril Islands?
Egypt’s foreign aid, a poison pill? Another lesson?
With Egypt in turmoil and the U.S. officially "favoring" the protests (via Obama's indirect support), I've been scratching my head on what has happened to this once critical relationship. After the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt changed strategy 180 degrees to embrace the United States. Egypt then struck a peace accord with Israel, a critical step for the U.S. strategy in that … [Read more...] about Egypt’s foreign aid, a poison pill? Another lesson?
YouTube records reportedly seized by Japanese prosecutors over leaked video
As written previously, "Japanese Coast Guard Diaoyutai or Senkaku Video Leaked," the Japanese government is really upset over the partially leaked video. Japan Times has an article out on YouTube Japan's records reportedly seized by Japanese prosecutors - "Coast guard probed over video leak; YouTube info reportedly seized." Separately Tuesday, prosecutors reportedly seized … [Read more...] about YouTube records reportedly seized by Japanese prosecutors over leaked video