Hearing Fukuda (Kind Of) Discuss Consumer Policy


Today, I had the unexpected opportunity to listen to Japan's prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda, who spoke briefly at the Cabinet Office's International Conference on Consumer Policy. The conference was prodding along fine until about 16:10, when suddenly some secret service-type guys in black suits, white shirts (and no neckties) started appearing. A few of them had the kind of ear-piece you may have seen in movies (talking into their hands, etc). The conference went on smoothly even as media suddenly appeared, with TV cameras and lots of gear. NHK, TBS, and the others quickly lined up at the back of the hall, seating some 200 people who were there to hear about Japan's efforts to discuss The Future of Consumer Policy for a Globalized Society.

Then nothing unusual happened, except more secret service-type guys had lined up along the walls and shot long glances at just about everyone in the hall. At 16:59 sharp, a young lady entered and wispered something to the MC. He promptly announced that "Elvis is in the building" (sorry, wrong guy) while a podium with a microphone was hurriedly carried to the center of the stage. Of course, what he actually said was a very brief and proper introduction of the PM - whose strong focus on consumer policy is an important legacy (his only one?).

Mr. Yasuo-I-am-different-from-you-Fukuda then entered the stage, made a very brief joke about how he had just arrived (har-har), and then read a prepared, five minute speech. He bowed, not too deaply, shook hands with the main speakers (including my old collegue & good friend Samuel Ochieng, now president of Consumers International, congratulations!). Fukuda-san then left the stage at exactly 17:05. Wow, tight schedule. Five minutes? Japanese government officials just have no sense of how to help a poor blogger make a more interesting entry =_=;;

More details about Japan's new consumer policies over at the Cabinet Office website.



(Hat tip to Japan Probe for the YouTube video of the "Anata to chigau-n desu" quip to the tune of MC Hammer!)

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