Japan has been saturated with Obama the past few days. The network news called in specialists to analyze his inaugural address, which was printed in newspapers and carefully studied. Obama’s 27 year old speech writer is a celebrity here. That a young man can put words in the mouth of a president — and such words — is astounding in a culture where people below the age of 50 are expected to nod their heads publically and contribute quietly.
Two nights ago Hitomi was watching the TV news. She commented that they were unfavorably comparing Obama with Japanese political leaders. Japanese politicians may have power, but with few exceptions they are not well respected leaders. They emerge from smoke filled rooms looking unhealthy, with baked silly putty faces. They are almost always literally in bad light. The people who vote for them go to the polls without great enthusiasm or a high sense of purpose. And whether the politicians perform well or not, most people feel like there are no better options.
I know many in America feel the same way. But this has been an exciting election, and something significant happened. We’ll just have to see what Obama and the rest of America does next.
I want to stress this. The Japanese are watching with wonder and envy. Sentiment toward the LDP (Japan’s ruling party that has held power for most of the past 50 years) was already negative before the US election, and it’s getting worse. My guess is that the LDP will suffer greatly in the upcoming election and may lose outright. The only kink in the narrative is that if that happens, the next Prime Minister will be nothing like Obama. He’ll probably be another baked silly putty faced man who used to be in the LDP himself.
It’s never easy to change in Japan, but where there’s a will there is a way — and Obama is stimulating the Japanese willpower with his embodiment of hope.
Interesting tidbits:
- My friend, a retired Japanese man, said yesterday that he is saving the newspaper containing Obama’s inaugural address to pass on to his grandchildren.
- Yesterday another friend sent us a link to a video from inauguration day (link, see 7:16 mark). Apparently, the news media made a big deal out of Obama interacting with some African Americans and making a hip hop gesture with his hands. With his Harvard educated mind, eloquent speeches, relaxed demeanor Obama is redefining the Japanese image of a “black man.” You can expect every small indication that he is “black” in a way that fits common stereotypes to be a news sensation — at least for awhile.
Related posts:
With the U.S. and the rest of the World in an economic and financial crisis… The time has come for change. It will be interest to see what the new Obama Administration can do. If Obama makes the right moves, then change is possible for even countries like Japan… But only IF the younger generation take a more proactive role!