In recent weeks, Japan has presented two faces to the world. One is a great source of pride; the other an acute embarrassment. The remarkable performance of Japan's baseball superstars playing Major League Baseball in the United States has shown millions of fans that you can play in a glamorous league and make lots of money without being obnoxious prima donnas. The same cannot be said of Japan's new Foreign Minister, Makiko Tanaka.
Then there's Makiko Tanaka. Her chalkboard-grating motormouth has a nation hiding its face in shame. The petulant daughter of the legendary Kakuei Tanaka, she was born with both a silver spoon and a foot planted in her mouth. Tanaka has always been a trash talker, but ever since she became Foreign Minister she has been on such a verbal rampage that one can only conclude that she is suffering from a severe case of Turret's Syndrome. Otherwise, there is no rational excuse for such a verbal scorched-earth campaign.
When not dressing down the nation's entire diplomatic corps, she is snubbing some of Japan's most important allies. Worse, she freelances foreign policy in such a rude and vulgar tone that it leaves almost anyone meeting her aghast at her inability to display even the most basic elements of civility.
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