Hello, this is Frank.
Today’s topic is “There was such a politician.”
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【Question】
When I sent a supportive message in English to a certain female LDP politician on X (formerly Twitter), she angrily replied in Japanese: “This is Japan, so send messages in Japanese! I don’t understand English!” What do you think about this?
【Answer】
In short, it reveals how “small-minded” that politician is. While it’s true that sending a message in English to a Japanese recipient might have confused her, her reaction exposed her narrow-mindedness. It was a supportive message, not a negative one—why the hostility?
Even if she didn’t understand English, tools like Google Translate exist. Sadly, this isn’t unique to the LDP; many “political operators” in Japan struggle to embrace global perspectives. Frankly, it doesn’t matter much who’s in charge here—Japan keeps running anyway. This is a classic case of the fallacy of composition. Instead of pinning hopes on such politicians, focus on improving yourself.
As long as politicians operate at such a petty level, female politicians in Japan won’t gain respect for at least another century. Remember that candidate who campaigned about “self-sufficiency rates” without even understanding the term? Pathetic.
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Currently, I’m participating in the popular blog rankings.
Today’s ranking for [AMISTAD] is?
■ Frank Yoshida is an award-winning author who made his professional debut in January 2009 after winning the Grand Prize in the “Gateway to Success for New Writers 2008” Contest, sponsored by Goodbook Shuppan, Japan. His acclaimed short love story, Hanarerarenaku-nacchau (“What Would I Do Without You?”), marked the beginning of his published literary journey. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kobe University of Commerce. ■ Frank brings a wealth of international business experience to the table. With a strong background in Surface Mount Technology (SMT), he served as a technical adviser in key innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley, Hsinchu (Taiwan), and San Jose (California). His global career includes negotiating international investment disputes in the United States, advising in the leather industry, and managing timber import strategies. As a seasoned international business consultant and flexpatriate, he has worked extensively across North America, Latin America, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa for leading trading companies and multinational clients. ■ A certified English expert, Frank holds ten prestigious English qualifications: UNATE (United Nations Association Test of English) SA Class, BEST (Business English Standard Test) A-Grade, Volunteer Interpreter Test (V-Tsuken) A-Grade, TOPEC (Nursing English) Perfect Score, Nissho Business English Proficiency Test Grade 1, Tourism English Proficiency Test Grade 1, Zensho English Proficiency Test Grade 1, English Vocabulary Test (TANKEN) Grade 1, EIKEN® Grade 1, and Japan's National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification. ■ Frank is also a passionate motorcycle enthusiast. He finds his ultimate freedom cruising along scenic coastlines aboard his beloved Suzuki Hayabusa GSX-1300R mega tourer. He describes the liberating experience in two words: “Stay aloof.”
Frank
