Japan’s ruling party calls for austerity

Dick Taffe — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:10:14 +0000

The newly elected Japanese ruling Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Naoto Kan (l.) has pledged to rein that nation’s huge debt, the world’s largest, calling for drastic tax reform including a hiking the sales tax. Public opinion polls show Japanese citizens prepared for tax increases and budget cuts if they can reduce the risk of a Greek-style economic meltdown. International relations Professor Thomas Berger, an authority on East Asian political culture, says the contrast between the Japanese public and its willingness to sacrifice to solve economic problems and people in other advanced industrial countries — notably France — is striking.

“There are, of course, many challenges that lie ahead in the months to come. Still, while it may be too early to say it is ‘morning in Japan,’ there may be some glimmerings on the horizon.”

Contact Thomas Berger, 617-353-5351, tuberger@bu.edu

New Japanese P.M. and U.S.

Dick Taffe — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:46:14 +0000

After naming his new cabinet, Japan’s prime minister-elect Naoto Kan (l.) will be sworn in and begin what the United States hopes is a tighter U.S.-Japan relationship than under his predecessor, Yukio Hatoyama, who resigned abruptly after a turbulent eight-month reign. Political science Professor Thomas Berger cautions that pushing the new government too hard on issues of U.S. interest could be counterproductive and possibly trigger an anti-American backlash.

“While many in Washington clearly hope that with Hatoyama gone U.S.-Japanese relations can get back to business as usual, those hopes are likely to be dashed.”

Contact Thomas Berger, 617-353-5351, tuberger@bu.edu

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Japan’s ruling party calls for austerity

New Japanese P.M. and U.S.