Doug in Japan

So many scenes and locations unchanged 60 years later, when I was a student there, to today. Such gratitude that this treasure was spared the firebombing.

Is the last one called Area 88?

Four people should get us to Neuromancer.

“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

I liked the closing comment about “Macarthur’s one contribution to the war effort.”

One of the many post-mortems I read yesterday talked about the butterfly effect of Ishiba losing the upper house -> resigning and replaced by Takaichi -> coalition ends with Kōmeitō -> Kōmeitō flails about and joins with CDP. For want of three upper house seats...

JCP is less unsavory than completely inept. All of their policy proposals amount to simple cash handouts that make no economic sense. I walked past several campaign events in front of train stations this cycle and saw no members who looked younger than 80 years of age.

Jake Adelstein has lots of interesting stuff on Soka Gakkai. They expanded a fair bit into the US in the 1970s and 80s as well. Just hoovering up money from their members.

Team Mirai did well in the PR. Support from all ages not young only. Weak on foreign relations, but practical ideas to improve domestic productivity.

Yes to both SG and JCP.

2 words: Soka Gakkai

Disturbingly detailed analysis of my first rewatch incoming

Still going thread breaking down the entire Bad Bunny halftime show. Great for us new to all this.

The most underrated force over the last few years of Japanese politics is generational change. The end of Boomer domination of the society and its politics, people for whom high-growth era was "normal".

Takaichi is riding this wave, but....she is the last boomer standing (1961)

Teaming up with Soka Gakkai was “r u f’in kidding me?” for the independent voters in my circle.

I like that one!

Nothing in the middle of the road but roadkill.

bsky.app/profile/tobi...

I wonder if many elderly voters could not figure out early balloting and stayed home to avoid snow-related injury.

Yes, declaring an intention to do specific things to address contemporary problems. She did more of that than her opponents.

It’s because she actually has policies (aside from whether or not they are the best ones). CRA had nothing but anti-LDP soundbites, no beef in their burger.

Much less. Soka Gakkai and other shinshukyo are aging much faster than the rest of Japan. Noda’s folly.

🚨DOJ quietly yanked an 86-page Epstein memo: “Investigation into Potential Jeffrey Epstein Co-Conspirators.” It lays out interviews with alleged victims, investigative targets, and attorneys.

I archived it—full memo here.

Fuck you Pambi and pedophile protectors.

app.box.com/s/inb1kswr77...

This map is just...wow.

TV on, this thread in hand.

Ok, the exit poll aligned with mainstream pollsters so far.

My 2026 Japanese general election thread starts here. We're now less than a half hour to polls closing.

Strong indications from my friends and family that teaming up with Soka Gakkkai lost the CDP more voters than gained from Komeito.

Ian McKellen using Shakespeare to tear off the false moral mask that xenophobes wear across the west YouTube video by Tkio

People often ask, is Shakespeare still relevant? Why study the humanities? Well, here is an example from the Colbert show, in which Ian McKellen spontaneously delivers an extraordinary speech -- relevant as ever. Shakespeare’s words are timeless, urgent and important. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQiw...

Roger Craig's long wait is over. He's heading to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. No Frank Gore this year, but given that he ranks thir in all-time rushing yards, it shouldn't be long before he gets in.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Roger Craig
Drew Brees
Larry Fitzgerald
Luke Kuechly
Adam Vinatieri