These are five candidates from the Democratic Party of Japan, and one of them will become prime minister sometime on Monday.
I guess I am hoping for one of the two on the left. Did you know Mabuchi Sumio (2nd from left) is nicknamed Terminator because of his robotic look? Poor Japan is stuck in a revolving door of prime ministers played out by old daddies and backroom politics. Politically stagnant and not much to look at.
One of the joys of November in Japan is the release of the top 60 new slang and trends of the year. Publisher Jiyu Kokuminsha provides the list, and fortunately Pink Tentacle provides excellent translations of each term (with explanations for those who may be less familiar with pop culture, politics and notorious crimes in Japan).
Next month 10 finalists are selected. I will start introducing some terms on my blog. You can read the full list of 60 new slang of 2009 on Pink Tentacle.
Above is sekushii buchō (セクスィー部長, or sexy department chief), a character with exaggerated masculine sex appeal from the NHK sketch-comedy show “Salaryman NEO.”
I love this photo of Betty Ford getting ready to check out of the White House.
Enough already about politics, global financial disaster and this so-called hope. Let’s focus on domesticity, first ladies, and the first kids in the White House. Sasha and Malia are super-cute, and the most photogenic since John-John and Caroline.
The New York Times also helpfully reminds us that at 12:32 pm on January 20, 2009, Laura and George Bush will lift off from the Capitol by helicopter. Good riddance!
And good luck with rehab, Laura. Give Betty a call. You deserve better!!
Tokyo Moe 