Toronto Star: Japan's old boys bite the dust

[marmar]

Japan's old boys bite the dust
Christopher Johnson


Tokyo – Greatly misunderstood outside its borders, Japan's election is nothing short of a social revolution, and a blow to conservatism and male-domination worldwide.

Across Tokyo, thousands of posters for the victorious Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) called for upheaval in terms usually associated with Iraq: sekken kotai – regime change.

That means toppling not only the oligarchy of second- and third-generation politicians who have ruled since 1955, but also the bureaucracy, the right-wing males who suppress the ambitions of women, young males and minorities, and the construction companies who have littered Japan's mountains, rivers and beaches with concrete.

While China looks forward to eclipsing Japan as the world's second biggest economy, Japanese just did what Chinese cannot do – change their leaders to suit the times. While China maintains a 1950s mentality, and Thailand threatens to jail those who critique the monarchy, Japan now has more to attract foreign investors. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/689014

[marmar]

1. Shameless self-kick.....because the global importance of this story is being underplayed.

nt

[fascisthunter]

2. awesome....

[marmar]

3. Shameless self-kick in the afternoon.

n/t

[Hannah Bell]

4. "Japan now has more to attract foreign investors" - which is of course, the most

important concern.