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New perspectives on mainland Southeast Asia

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East Asia’s Samak disease!

September 22nd, 2008 by Andrew Walker · 1 Comment

At first I could not believe my ears. But after checking the ABC’s website I had to accept that it was true. The story, of course, was the election of Taro Aso as Japan’s third Prime Minister in two years. The ABC site reports that Aso is “known for being a blunt speaker.”  Ouch! 

But there is worse … much worse. According to the report on ABC evening news:

Mr Aso has assiduously built his profile. Appearances like this on a celebrity cooking show have boosted his appeal.

Don’t bet your bottom dollar on Aso!

Tags: Samak · Trans-Border Issues

1 response so far ↓

  • 1 N'koburg // Sep 23, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    The relationship between politicians and TV shows are nothing new. In fact, theater politics are much more developed in western nations than Asian counterparts. I won’t be surprised to see Kevin Ruud on one of those cooking shows someday since a rock star has already made a minister. Mr. Walker, I think your own back yard is rife with the “disease”.

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