BU Now » Thomas Berger

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

North v. South Korea tensions mount

Dick Taffe — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:46:44 +0000

With military and political tensions increasing daily on the Korean Peninsula, Secretary of State Clinton says America will stand by South Korea as it seeks UN action to redress North Korea’s apparent sinking of South Korean warship. International relations Professor Thomas Berger, a specialist on government and political culture in East Asia, says today’s situation has “disturbing parallels” to the 1930s when economic turmoil and political weakness let to events that resulted in World War II.

“The international community is faced with a series of unfortunate events, any one of which by themselves could be managed, but which taken together could prove catastrophic … We can only hope that the international community – including the United States – shows greater wisdom this time around.”

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