ICHIRO Ozawa suffered a setback yesterday when made a series of gaffes describing Americans as "monocellular" or simple-minded.
Mr Ozawa -- the political veteran seen as a challenger to Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan -- has consistently refused to rule out challenging Mr Kan in next month's Democratic Party of Japan leadership ballot, effectively de-stabilising the Prime Minister, who is trying to rebuild his stocks amid a glut of dismal economic news.
With the US and Japan yet to fully resolve their differences over the US marines base on Okinawa, Mr Ozawa's comments will leave many observers -- and perhaps some MPs -- doubting his suitability for the top job.
The US is Japan's greatest strategic ally as well as a major trading partner. Mishandling negotiations with the Americans over the Futenma base cost the previous prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, his job.
Mr Ozawa, known as the shadow shogun of Japanese politics for decades of backroom manipulation, made the remarks during a political seminar he organised in Tokyo yesterday
"I like Americans, but they are somewhat monocellular," he said.
The 68-year-old MP added that while "I don't think Americans are smart, I extremely highly evaluate (US) democracy."
The Japanese equivalent of "monocellular" is something akin to naive, unsophisticated or simple-minded.
Mr Ozawa is facing possible indictment over fundraising rorts, and his gaffe may be used by Mr Kan's forces to campaign against him. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said yesterday Mr Kan had his and the public's support.
The media seems to be calling this statement a "gaffe." By definition a gaffe is a "blunder" or a "clumsy remark." Are we sure it was a mistake or did he say exactly what he meant?
. . . Calling the Yanks a bunch of monocellular bumpkins.
From here
