FROM JOHN:
Listening to Japanese TV:
Obama-san.....change.....blue state.....kamo shirenai.....wakarimashita.
We have been following the election so closely for so long now, but mostly via internet. However, for the election results and speeches I have Japanese news on also. It is interesting to see how close the coverage is here in Japan (and closer still in Canada). We have approximately 10 channels, and as many as 5 were covering parts of Obama's speech. Only one occasionally came up in English, so we've left it mostly on this channel.
They do a stretch of the ABC feed--speeches and news analysis--and then they do a stretch only in Japanese. The ABC feed has been exciting and inspiring (we though McCain's concession speech hit the right notes too). The Japanese segments have been pretty interesting too (these are the fragments at the start of this entry). Lisa picked up on "Obama-san," and "change" as well as some of the "blue state" vs. "red state" map analysis. I listened to the Japanese expert explaining the election, the electoral map, the candidates, etc. to his colleague. Pretty good stuff actually. Sorting out the electoral college vs. popular vote for example. Good on ya -- many Americans probably would have a hard time explaining to someone from another country.
The expert was clearly at ease with the system. He was confident about what was happening even though he would end statements with "kamo shirenai"--meaning something like "it can't be known" but operating more like a "perhaps" to not sound too certain or confident. This note of uncertainty and openness to the possibility of being mistaken is not a bad habit, kamo shirenai. The other guy would ask the "common man" questions of why popular and electoral numbers are so different. The expert would explain, and the other would then say "wakarimashita"--that is, I understand. My sense was that he was (perhaps) asking and then showing understanding on behalf of other Japanese observers.
Last I checked, the two were discussing possible cabinet positions (I think, but my Japanese comprehension has its own issues and clear limitations . . .) and then it got a bit odd. Their backdrop changed to an American flag and presidential seal. Although Obama's victory speaks well of wide open possibility in America, it seemed a stretch that the Japanese expert had just won the White House and moved directly into the oval office! They panned out to a big screen by their backdrop where Obama and Biden each had one arm around the other's shoulder while waving to the audience with their free arms. Now the expert was lined up beside them and on the same scale. It appeared a president, vp, and Japanese expert had just been elected. If rumors are accurate that Cheney has made himself a permanent fixture in a secured location, this was becoming a very full executive!
Still, it seemed to me that the messages of inspiration, confidence, and understanding were meaningful in both the English and Japanese feeds. The Japanese use of kamo shirenai also reminded me that we can't know the outcome of many difficult problems that still face us. Nonetheless, the Obama election is very significant for substantative and symbolic reasons at an important time in history. This election has been watched closely around the world. This is natural with America's influence in political, economic, cultural, and many other spheres. Still, the excitement might also speak to a hunger among many in the US, many expats like us, and from citizens of other countries to love and respect America (or at least to admire and feel hope for its potential) in ways that have been so needlessly strained for more than half a dozen years.
Our friends in Canada and in Japan seem unified in their hope for Obama. Some of this may be based on symbol more than substance. However, as demonstrated by coverage from this Japanese tv show to papers in Canada, such as the Globe and Mail, much of the analysis is sophisticated and sees potential for greatness at a time of much need. The academic in me is very pleased to see a "first class intellect" accompanying what I see as an ideal and steady demeanor (this is one step up from the chief justice's appraisal of FDR as second-class intellect but first-class demeanor). When one adds to this the diversity of support--class, race, gender, etc.--the building confidence and enthusiasm goes beyond Obama to a sense of hope and pride in American people who seem to be turning out to vote and becoming engaged and enfranchised in ways that might suggest the short-term euphoria might have some legs.
The American population has often been popular abroad even when the president or governing party has not been. Let's see how it goes with both popular abroad. With luck (and some skillful campaigning by Obama and a classy concession by McCain) some divisions can be bridged and some amount of unified effort can be brought to bear on real problems. The connections are global--among people, nations, economies, environment--the solutions must be global, and this seems more possible with a candidate warmly welcome on the international stage.
This has been heart-warming to watch and it will remain exciting to see how it unfolds. We will miss Japan when we return in December, but it will be easier to return to North America with this outcome.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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