Day 2: Republican vs. Democrat Japan Style, Economy of Japan and Sushi

Heads of the Economy and the Houses of Government, pulling out all the punches for the Americans in town. We had a pretty stacked set of speakers today. The head of the Ministry of Finance and two members of the senate. Although the idea of hearing heads of state and government pundits does not bode well for awe inspiring listening they were quite interesting and their candor was impressive for politicians. Much like the Head of the Education department, they pointed out how difficult things were, instead of saying how great Japan is. The two senators were of different parties and had impressive resumes. UN high commision on International Affairs, head of the ways and means committees, etc. etc. Regardless they were both entertaining and straightforward. They obviously did not agree on much but were so polite to one another they could certainly teach a thing or two to American politcians. The so called "conservative" was a major player in the Kyoto Protocol which set environmental policy for all the present global warming legislation in the world. Impressive the conservative was the head of world environmental reform.

On another note I experienced several "small world" experiences on this day. Most of all I met the person who replaced me at Redmond High School. It was odd to be half way around the world and meet someone who arrived at RHS the year I left. To be able to talk to someone about students I know, great friends I worked with and the politics of school in Central Oregon was quite fun. Sarah provided a person who I felt like I knew in the mob of teachers from all corners of the US. As many people as I met it was quite hard to have indepth conversation with anyone since the pace was so quick and there was so much going on. The sudden discovery of someone who could laugh about the fact no one else in the country has any idea what it means to be from Idaho or Central Oregon was quite entertaining. By the way, apparently most intellegent US citizens (ie; teachers) think it only rains in Oregon and Idaho is a backwater that 6 people live in. "I did not think anyone actually lived in Idaho." a true quote. I think I will keep the secret.