Doug-at-large

I like some of the flavors of Coca Cola they have in the U.S., like Vanilla coke. But do they have green tea flavored Coca Cola like they do here?

doug

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The heads of the nation’s three arms of government and members of the Imperial family offered their congratulations on the occasion of the 50th wedding anniversary of the Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace on Friday.

To celebrate the golden wedding of the Emperor, 75, and the Empress, 74, ceremonial meetings were held at the Matsu no Ma stateroom in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, with the Imperial family members and 51 guests attending.

The guests included Prime Minister Taro Aso, House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono, House of Councillors President Satsuki Eda and Supreme Court Chief Justice Hironobu Takesaki.

During a ceremony attended by the political leaders, which started at 11:30 a.m., Aso, representing the public, gave his felicitations to the Imperial couple, saying, “May I extend to you my congratulations on your golden wedding anniversary.”

Responding to Aso, the Emperor said, “We would like to continue fulfilling our duty in order to meet the public expectations by making collective efforts together [with the Empress].”

During another ceremonial meeting held in the stateroom, the Emperor and Empress were greeted by members of the Imperial family.

Standing in front of the couple, Crown Prince Naruhito, accompanied by Crown Princess Masako, bowed his head and delivered a congratulatory address, saying, “We would like to heartily congratulate you [on your 50th wedding anniversary].” The Emperor replied, “Thank you.”

View from my bedroom in Katsuhika, Tokyo on the morning and evening of New Year’s Day, 2009. Click to see full size.

doug

As you know, the Japanese Prime Minister resigned last week and the ruling LDP party will hold elections on the 22nd to choose a new leader, who will also become Prime Minister.

One of the 5 announced candidates is a woman, former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike. If she wins, she would be become the first female Japanese prime minister.

Anyway, she is certainly covering all bases with her platform. From today’s “Daily Yomiuri”:

Koike, a TV news anchorwoman-turned-lawmaker, said: “What I will aim for is to change this world, the system of Japanese society. On the other hand, I would like to preserve tradition, family ties and the solidarity of community, which should be preserved.”

Sounds like Koike, Obama and McCain are all using the same campaign literature software.

doug

It’s traditional to eat soba on new year’s eve.

doug