My opinion of this week(169):

The issue is not a language but a culture

  There was an interesting research report announced recently by the Office 
of Culture, Ministry of Education. The research was on very special popular
words used by young people these days. One example is  shown below. 
 
  Ordinal expression: 

  "I think it is good."

  Typical expression by young people these days:

  "I think it looks like something good."

  I have not much experience talking with young people, but I was surprised
to listen to what they talk at interview in TV news show. Yes, their 
expression is very unique and ambiguous in all respect. 

  The reason why they use such ambiguous expression is that they don't want
to hurt people in any way by saying something in veru assertive and strong
way. Once they hurt others,  it may come back to hurt them in return. Then
they try to use soft and ambiguous words as much as possible in their 
conversation.

  When I read the article about this in newspaper, I thought that the real
issue is not the abuse of Japanese language and  abuse of honorific words
by it self. The real issue is such s weak mind of young people who cannot
say anthing assertive and clear way. They don't insist anything. They don't 
debate on any issues with other people even when it is necessary for 
themselves and for the community. 

Today there are many argument about the necessity of stronger personality
education in 21st century in Japan. May be the first step of such education
is that all of such ambiguous and vague expression should be eliminated 
from young world. 

But the issue is not limited only to young people. Ambiguous nature of
language is true with all phase of Japanese language not specific to
the language used by young people. And when it comes to Japanese language
it is a problem of Japanese culture itself The basic nature of Japanese
culture is to be questioned when we talk about this issue.

2000/6/3
Tadashi HAYASE

 

My Opinion this week(170:

Argument on constitution

  Prime Minister Mori repeated another slip of the tongue at a local
meeting of the Party in Nara. He said: I wonder if we people of Japan can
keep the constitution (Kokutai in Japanese) under the current political
situation.) As a result of this comment all oppositions parties and many
mass media started attacking him again following his word of Japan is a 
Land of God. They said that Prime Minister Mori means by this the 
autocratic political system governed by Emperor before the World War II. 

  Strangely enough Mr.Mori admitted that he made a mistake for using that
word Kokutai. But he said he would not withdraw his message. I just don't
understand that sort of reasoning. If he would not withdraw the word why
did he admit that he had made a mistake.

　Personally I do not understand why the word Kokutai is taboo. I agree 
with the point that the content of it is a big issue. If the word means 
the autocratic political system governed by Emperor as before the World
War II nobody excluding some ultra rightists would admit such political
system. The leaders of LDP explained that Prime Minister Mori never means
it. Well many people including myself can accept that explanation alright.

　I think that the word Kokutai means the constitution as we see in many 
dictionaries a basic governorship system of a nation. And under the present
constitution of Japan this country is governed by the division of three
powers under the principle that sovereign power lies with the people. 
Different from the pre-war period Emperor is designated as a symbol of 
the nation who have no sovereign power. There is no doubt about such political
system at the moment as far as I can see.

　Is there any possibility or necessity to change such political system
 slightly or in somewhat extensively? If so why can't people and 
politicians discuss such issues at this time? This is the kind of argument
necessary for this country isn't it? It is an argument on Kokutai isn't it? 

 I don't understand why there is no such argument at all. Why can't anyone
including Prime Minister mention about it?　

2000/6/10
Tadashi HAYASE

My opinion this week(171):

Be angry, farmers and merchant!

  "Those are farmers. manufacturers, and merchants that stick to the
quarre in the past. We don't call ourselves Samurai but we three coalition
parties have discussed what we should do for the nation and prepared 
common pledges of three parties for the general election." 
 -June 11. 2000, Asahi Newspaper

  The above comment was made in way-side speech in Osaka by Mr. Kamei, Chief
of Policy Committee of Libral Democratic Party. He said he would not call 
himself Samurai, but he swore all opposition parties as farmers and
other general public that have no insight about their nation. 
　
  Mr.Kmaei has ever used so many abusive words recently, most of which
are to be neglected as a kind of black joke. However, this comment is not
the one which is allowed without any warning.

　 I think his message is more violent and wilder than the word of Prime
Minister Mori that Japan is the land of God. When he used the word
farmers and general public, he means general people themselves in this
country. He means to say that general public do not understand politics
and have no insight about the future of this country. It is their 
politicians i.e. Samurai class that work for the country having some
necessary sense and insight about politics. Opposition parties are
like farmers and general public.

 Asahi Newspage just introduced his message without any comments. Why
don't they criticize such ruthless words like this? That should be
picked up at their editorial as they put Prime Minister Mori's 
contorversial words.

  Be angry , farmers and general public!

2000/6/17
Tadashi HAYASE