Current location:entertainment >>
VOX POPULI: Our anger must never cool over ‘vital’ political fund
entertainment276People have gathered around
IntroductionWhat aspects of everyday life are deemed to be essential in Japan? And, what, exactly, are “fuyo-fuk ...
What aspects of everyday life are deemed to be essential in Japan? And, what, exactly, are “fuyo-fukyu” (nonessential or non-urgent)?
We were supposed to have learned the difference during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But have we forgotten already?
“Perhaps that is how I can best summarize it,” columnist Takashi Odajima (1956-2022) wrote in his book “Saikan no Uta,” in which he goes through social media posts to glean the zeitgeist of the decade from 2011, the year of the Great East Japan Earthquake, to 2020, the year the pandemic began.
As some examples considered to be fuyo-fukyu, Odajima cites the emperor’s birthday celebrations, events such as concerts and plays, and professional sports competitions.
Businesses complied with stay-at-home requests by encouraging their full-time employees to work from home, and schools canceled classes and switched to remote learning.
As for what was judged to be essential and indispensable to everyday life, Odajima observed with mordant irony: “Overcrowded trains, menial jobs for non-regular company workers, politicians’ fund-raising parties, the prime minister’s dinner meetings with supporters, Olympic-related competitive sports events.”
Going through a list of Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers involved in the slush fund scandal, I start seething with anger again.
While all of us ordinary citizens were gritting our teeth and giving up what we wanted to do, politicians were holding fund-raisers as usual and secretly amassing a slush fund, their excuse being that free political activity must never be interrupted at any time.
What an act of betrayal. How despicable.
The LDP’s negative attitude regarding the planned Diet's Deliberative Council on Political Ethics has left me speechless.
Still, I must firmly remind the party that the council is not a place for ceremonial “misogi” (purification).
In fact, all the council will do is to provide an opportunity for LDP legislators who have benefited from the slush fund to tell their side of the story.
In any case, the pursuit of truth and their responsibility must continue.
And frustrated and disgusted as I am, I still intend to keep my anger boiling.
Odajima once wrote, “Cherry blossoms die after one week because we Japanese get easily bored.”
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 28
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Worldly Wisdom news portal”。http://sierraleone.downmusic.org/html-19c199971.html
Related articles
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry
entertainmentMANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines blamed Chinese fishermen on Monday for a massive loss of ...
Read moreSuccession's Brian Cox stars in an American stage epic... but at three
entertainmentLong Day’s Journey Into NightWyndham’s Theatre, LondonRating: Was ever a play better titled? Eugene ...
Read moreDune: Part Two review
entertainmentDUNE: PART TWO (12A, 166 mins)Rating:Verdict: A sandy spectacular Dune was bursting out all over Le ...
Read more
Popular articles
- The Latest
- Australian pilot kidnapped in Papua New Guinea's highlands
- Signs of sharp wit! These funny notices left customers in fits of laughter
- Jersey Shore: Family Vacation: Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola and Ronnie Ortiz
- Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad
- Ashley Roberts puts on a leggy display in a tiny mini
Latest articles
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
Back to Black film: Does Marisa Abela sing her own songs in the Amy Winehouse biopic?
Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Sarah Ferguson all don traditional spring shade
Sydney Mardi Gras asks police not take part in Saturday's parade
Here comes the char
Queen Camilla praises Kate Middleton
LINKS
- China ready to work with Arab countries for higher level community with shared future: Xi
- Chinese lawmakers to deliberate various law drafts at upcoming session
- What to expect in Oregon's primaries
- Potential signature fraud in Michigan threatens to disrupt congressional races
- What to expect in Oregon's primaries
- Shanna Moakler, 49, poses in a bikini on her ex
- Witness at Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial says meat
- Golfer's prompt release from jail rankles some who recall city's police turmoil
- AI, digital technologies inject new impetus to cultural tourism boom
- Parents of disabled children sue Indiana over Medicaid changes addressing $1 billion shortfall