Current location:Culture Craft news portal > business
VOX POPULI: Our anger must never cool over ‘vital’ political fund
Culture Craft news portal2024-05-22 01:57:19【business】5People 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.
Address of this article:http://serbiaandmontenegro.popular-vines.com/article-08c399983.html
Very good!(3713)
Related articles
- Abbey Clancy, 38, shows off a new set of train track braces as she's left red
- 16,000 SQ FT home in Montana goes on sale for just $10
- Lucy Hale reveals what her current equation is with her Pretty Little Lies co
- Monica Garcia's baby daddy revealed to be Braxton Knight, 29
- Brewers starter Joe Ross leaves after first inning vs. Marlins with lower back strain
- Penny Lancaster, 53, showcases her endless legs in a thigh
- Netflix fans hail 'mind
- Kanye West's ex Julia Fox gives Bianca Censori a run for her money in an X
- Adams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa America
- Conan O'Brien reveals the WORST 'amateur move' a talk
Popular articles
Recommended
It's no wonder parents are taking their children on holiday during term time! Sky
Afghan migrant on terror watch list spent a YEAR in the U.S. after he was released by Border Patrol
Lionel Richie reveals being selected as performer at King Charles Coronation Concert was 'surprise'
Colin Firth's Pride and Prejudice wet shirt up for auction
David Cronenberg's new grief
Geena Davis, 68, wows in a figure
Legendary CBS announcer Jim Nantz gets tongues wagging on social media after making an X
Horoscope today: Daily guide to what the stars have in store for YOU
Links
- Israel, Iran show restraint. But for how long?
- Jimmy Vesey and Artemi Panarin lead Rangers to 4
- Kawhi Leonard will miss Game 1 for Los Angeles Clippers against Dallas Mavericks
- Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg hit back
- Wilyer Abreu drives in a pair of runs as Red Sox complete sweep of reeling Pirates with 6
- The Lyrid meteor shower peaks this weekend, but it may be hard to see it
- Violent rages, sadistic beatings, in
- Mitchell Parker throws 7 scoreless innings as Nats blank Astros 6
- Earth Day: How to grocery shop to avoid 'pointless plastic'
- Ohtani breaks Matsui's home run record, Dodgers rout Mets 10