Social Sciences
Americans snickered this week at the viral photo of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a tank wearing a helmut. It recalled a similar image of failed presidential candidate Michael Dukakis.
Above is the full event of Abe boarding and then disembarking from the tank. TBS has already removed its video, but there are many personal videos of the visit. The still does not do the event justice.
As you can see, the Abe photo was not taken at a military base or at a JGSDF tank exercise. On April 27, he was visiting Nico Nico Douga, Japan?s popular video-sharing website's, second Nico Nico Chokaigi fan event at the Makuhari Messe center. Geeks, gamers, and cosplayers came out in record numbers.
Near the Japan Self-Defense Force and U.S. Forces booth, a Type-10 MBT tank was on display for fans of the new tank-based anime Girls und Panzer. Teenage school girls apparently service and command tanks as a required school sport. In this alternative universe, Sensha-d? (???, lit. "Way of the Tank"), the art of operating combat tanks has become a traditional martial art. Third Reich imagery pervades.
Abe's minister without portfolio for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda Tomohiko Taniguchi, although familiar with American politics, ignored one of its critical rules. Never, ever let your candidate wear a hat, any hat, ever. But geek (otaku) culture is part of today's Japan and it is among these disaffected that Abe is turning to for support in his quest for constitutional change. Play-acting is natural for those potential voters.
This not the first time that Abe appealed to Japan's otaku. On election eve in December 2012, Abe gave a speech from a van in Akihabara. As reported on Kotaku, an English-language website for serious gamers, some found the flag waving amidst the displays for video games and girl bands disturbing.
The other golden PR rule in American politics is not to be seen with clowns. But Japan is not the United States.
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Social Sciences
Abe in the Tank
Americans snickered this week at the viral photo of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a tank wearing a helmut. It recalled a similar image of failed presidential candidate Michael Dukakis.Above is the full event of Abe boarding and then disembarking from the tank. TBS has already removed its video, but there are many personal videos of the visit. The still does not do the event justice.
As you can see, the Abe photo was not taken at a military base or at a JGSDF tank exercise. On April 27, he was visiting Nico Nico Douga, Japan?s popular video-sharing website's, second Nico Nico Chokaigi fan event at the Makuhari Messe center. Geeks, gamers, and cosplayers came out in record numbers.
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Abe's minister without portfolio for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda Tomohiko Taniguchi, although familiar with American politics, ignored one of its critical rules. Never, ever let your candidate wear a hat, any hat, ever. But geek (otaku) culture is part of today's Japan and it is among these disaffected that Abe is turning to for support in his quest for constitutional change. Play-acting is natural for those potential voters.
This not the first time that Abe appealed to Japan's otaku. On election eve in December 2012, Abe gave a speech from a van in Akihabara. As reported on Kotaku, an English-language website for serious gamers, some found the flag waving amidst the displays for video games and girl bands disturbing.
The other golden PR rule in American politics is not to be seen with clowns. But Japan is not the United States.
- Negotiating Reconciliation With Japan
Bataan Death March By Ben SteeleNegotiating Reconciliation with JapanAmerican POWs of Japan Friday, May 1, 2015 2:30 PM ? 2:00 PM Bernstein-Offit Building, Room 5001717 Massachusetts Ave. NWWashington, DC 20036 Featuring:Lester Tenney | Former POW...
- Abenomics Explained
The catchy, clever phrase "Abenomics" is being marketed hard by the Abe team. The new Japanese Administration is trying to position its economic policy as something new and distintive; as more of a catch phrase than a fragile complex of monetary maneuvers....
- Using Belligerence To Forget
On April 8th, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter gave a speech to CSIS outlining American military capabilities and plans in the Indo-Pacific region. [TRANSCRIPT] He emphasized that "U.S. interests in the region are enduring, and...
- App On Huffington Post Live!
Today, April 4, APP director Mindy Kotler joined APP member Ms. Shihoko Goto of the Wilson Center Asia Program, Ms. Yuki Tatsumi of the Stimson Centers, and Professor Thomas Berger of Boston University on Huffington Post Live to discussion whether Japan...
- Paul Ryan And Japan
Janesville MemorialRepublican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan has never been to Tokyo or Beijing. Nor has he shown much interest in U.S. foreign policy toward Asia. It is likely, however, he has some strong opinions about Japan and they are not...