Still having trouble figuring the difference between your LDPs and your LBWs; your New Komeitos and old Komeitos; and your Ozawas and your Obamas? Fear not, Our Man is here with another of his handy cut-out-and-keep guides to Japanese politics:
7 comments:
Kamoshika Bob
said...
Not having taught in any of these English schools, and not living in a populated area where these schools are established, can you please explain the references?
I assume that the connection with the corrupt/now defunct NOVA indicates that you expect the ruling coalition to go the same way. My impression of Berlitz is that it is an established, well-respected, if expensive institution. Is this how you would appraise the Minshuto? I am also curious as to which English chains you would associate with Kyosanto, Shaminto, and Kokumin-shinto.
A recent poll quoted in the news showed that given a choice between Aso and Ozawa for PM, Ozawa had a slight lead. What are your impressions/expectations for a potential Ozawa administration?
Those are darned good questions, I'll do a Palin on that and get back to you (tee hee). But what was going through my addled mind was Nova as something of a joke, and now defunct, Berlitz because it has problems of its own with labour relations, but is still basically better respected, though you are right - expensive.
Our Man doesn't have high expectations of the DPJ or Ozawa, but if they can hold it together long enough to prove you don't have to be the LDP to rule, it would do wonders for the country's politics.
As for the other parties and language schools, I think the analogy gets a bit stretched. Don't think the communists or socialists are cut out for teaching business English. Kokumin-shinto might offer a correspondence course, as they like the postal service... Hmmm, back to the drawing board. Any suggestions?
Hmm, like I said, the national chains are few and far between in this area of the country.
For the Kyosanto, perhaps an organization that's everywhere, albeit in a minority, and that is dogmatic about their approach, yet also makes contributions to the welfare of society.
As for the Shaminto, maybe a chain that has a female head but little impact on the market at large.
I would characterize the Kokumin-shinto as a breakaway splinter party from a larger chain.
Personally, I don't think the Minshuto deserves as much respect as I would give to Berlitz, seeing as they are little more than disgruntled ex-LDPers themselves.
Ozawa's trash-talking doesn't bode well with me if he ever does get to move into the prime minister's residence. On the other hand, I do welcome a change of power, and hope that the DPJ's on-the-job training goes well and quickly.
Good points, but you hold Berlitz in higher esteem than Our Man. In a former life he worked for them for a year and a half 10 years ago - to summarise the experience: a one-week training programme, out-dated teaching methods and microphones in every classroom, coupled with performance-related pay, meant the staff were always fearing the boss. Its higher reputation is not deserved, it's just a marketing ploy.
What neck of the woods are you in? If there are none of the chains, sounds like bliss.
I live in a 村 of 2400 at the northern tip of Nagano Pr., right on the Niigata border. The closest English schools to us are an ECC Jr. and a Kumon in the neighboring town in Niigata.
Lots of trees, bears, monkeys, tanuki, etc. Piles of snow in the winter. I guess that scares away most of the nasty people. Only three stop lights, too.
Sounds lovely. And there was Our Man thinking he was in the boonies, five minutes from the formerly dirtiest lake in Japan and 40 minutes from Tokyo by train. A couple of owls live in the haiyashi round here. Er, and there are ducks. No monkeys, apart from the cheeky variety in this house.
7 comments:
Not having taught in any of these English schools, and not living in a populated area where these schools are established, can you please explain the references?
I assume that the connection with the corrupt/now defunct NOVA indicates that you expect the ruling coalition to go the same way. My impression of Berlitz is that it is an established, well-respected, if expensive institution. Is this how you would appraise the Minshuto? I am also curious as to which English chains you would associate with Kyosanto, Shaminto, and Kokumin-shinto.
A recent poll quoted in the news showed that given a choice between Aso and Ozawa for PM, Ozawa had a slight lead. What are your impressions/expectations for a potential Ozawa administration?
Those are darned good questions, I'll do a Palin on that and get back to you (tee hee). But what was going through my addled mind was Nova as something of a joke, and now defunct, Berlitz because it has problems of its own with labour relations, but is still basically better respected, though you are right - expensive.
Our Man doesn't have high expectations of the DPJ or Ozawa, but if they can hold it together long enough to prove you don't have to be the LDP to rule, it would do wonders for the country's politics.
As for the other parties and language schools, I think the analogy gets a bit stretched. Don't think the communists or socialists are cut out for teaching business English. Kokumin-shinto might offer a correspondence course, as they like the postal service... Hmmm, back to the drawing board. Any suggestions?
Hmm, like I said, the national chains are few and far between in this area of the country.
For the Kyosanto, perhaps an organization that's everywhere, albeit in a minority, and that is dogmatic about their approach, yet also makes contributions to the welfare of society.
As for the Shaminto, maybe a chain that has a female head but little impact on the market at large.
I would characterize the Kokumin-shinto as a breakaway splinter party from a larger chain.
Personally, I don't think the Minshuto deserves as much respect as I would give to Berlitz, seeing as they are little more than disgruntled ex-LDPers themselves.
Ozawa's trash-talking doesn't bode well with me if he ever does get to move into the prime minister's residence. On the other hand, I do welcome a change of power, and hope that the DPJ's on-the-job training goes well and quickly.
Good points, but you hold Berlitz in higher esteem than Our Man. In a former life he worked for them for a year and a half 10 years ago - to summarise the experience: a one-week training programme, out-dated teaching methods and microphones in every classroom, coupled with performance-related pay, meant the staff were always fearing the boss. Its higher reputation is not deserved, it's just a marketing ploy.
What neck of the woods are you in? If there are none of the chains, sounds like bliss.
I live in a 村 of 2400 at the northern tip of Nagano Pr., right on the Niigata border. The closest English schools to us are an ECC Jr. and a Kumon in the neighboring town in Niigata.
Lots of trees, bears, monkeys, tanuki, etc. Piles of snow in the winter. I guess that scares away most of the nasty people. Only three stop lights, too.
Sounds lovely. And there was Our Man thinking he was in the boonies, five minutes from the formerly dirtiest lake in Japan and 40 minutes from Tokyo by train. A couple of owls live in the haiyashi round here. Er, and there are ducks. No monkeys, apart from the cheeky variety in this house.
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