Koizumi OK, Thanks for Asking

[Mulboyne]

Lion Heart -- Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi

Northern Territories Day
Junichiro Koizumi here.
...In Japan, February 7 is designated as "Northern Territories Day" and various events are conducted across the country each year. I had planned to attend the National Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories held in Kudan Kaikan on February 7, but could not as I was laid low with a cold. I had been feeling a little under the weather since last week. If I left any of you concerned, let me reassure you that I have recovered and feel well again to tackle the mounting issues, both domestic and overseas, with verve and vigor.
* The title of this column "Lion Heart" is a reference to the Prime Minister's lion-like hairstyle and his unbending determination to advance structural reform.

[GuyJean]

If I left any of you concerned, let me reassure you that I have recovered and feel well again to tackle the mounting issues, both domestic and overseas, with verve and vigor.

standing smilies - LDP
middle smiley - Japanese people..

GJ

[Captain Japan]

standing smilies - LDP
middle smiley - Japanese people..

Indeed it is a neverending group circle jerk:
Ex-treasurer reveals more hidden funds
Asahi

The ruling party's biggest faction failed to report about 120 million yen in donations that were later given to lawmakers as ``seasonal gifts,'' according to a former treasurer's latest statements implicating political bigwigs in the money scandal.

Toshiyuki Takigawa, 56, has already said in court that he was involved in concealing political donations when he was in charge of accounts for Heisei Kenkyukai (Heisei study group), the fund-management arm of the former Hashimoto faction of the Liberal Democratic Party.

His latest statements show that there were a number of routes in the dubious flow of unreported contributions and that the upper echelons of the faction were likely aware of the practice, sources close to the case said.

Takigawa told prosecutors that he accompanied the Heisei group secretariat chief to LDP headquarters in the summer and winter likely in 2001 and received about 60 million yen each time. The funds were initially kept in the Heisei group's safe and then distributed as ``seasonal cash gifts'' to lawmakers belonging to the faction once led by former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, he said....the rest...

[GuyJean]

Indeed it is a neverending group circle jerk:

At least they're all smiling..

I think it's rationalized by the 'uniquely' Japanese way of thinking; since Japanese people only eat Japanese food, drive Japanese cars, and ride Japanese trains, the money they steal from me is recyled back into Japan. Stealing from me actually makes Japan stronger..

GJ

(This a complete generalization, and should be taken as such.. Actually, the dissatisfaction with Koizumi has been on the rise recently among J-people.. But the LDP have been in power for how long now. )

[Mulboyne]

Shukan Post via Japan Today: Koizumi balks at medical checkup
Speculation that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is sick is rife in political circles. Since becoming prime minister in 2001, he had not taken a day off due to sickness until Feb 7, when he was apparently hit by flu...He seemed to be fine, but rumors persist. The gossip started after a recent reshuffle in medical personnel at Koizumi's residence. Six doctors and five nurses were assigned to the prime minister's official residence from the Central Hospital for the Self Defense Forces and are on call 24 hours a day. A member of the household staff said, "Recently, Mr Koizumi doesn't want to get his blood pressure measured. When asked, he refuses by saying 'I'm alright. I don't need it,' or 'I'm pretty busy right now.' Basically, his blood pressure is quite high, but since he's got a lot of stress and been busy lately, that's to be expected. I think he is afraid of an information leak about his real condition, so that's why he is avoiding a daily checkup."
When he returned to the Diet after his day off, he looked pale. Some Diet members thought he looked tired while he was seated. "When I saw his pale face as he was walking back to his seat from the podium, I thought 'Oh no!'" said one Diet member. "I've heard he hasn't been sleeping well at night." Kyoto University Professor Takahide Izumi, an expert in respiratory illnesses, said he can see a few indications of sickness. "From my experience, many people who refuse to have their blood pressure measured don't want to admit how high it really is. It's not something to dismiss because it can lead to a stroke or heart attack, esepcially at Koizumi's age of 63. Insomnia is another indicator of something more serious." Izumi said the prime minister might have a lung ailment. "He could be suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease. People who have this tend to walk fast, as Koizumi does, because they are constantly short of breath. Also, they tend to subconsciously fold their arms to facilitate their breathing. I have observed Koizumi doing that in the Diet. Of course, it's just speculation, but it is not good for anyone to avoid a medical checkup."