Exit Koizumi, Japan's relentless Jedi knight

Salt Lake City Tribune (via WashPost) ^ | September 25, 2006 | Anthony Faiola

[Tamar1973]

In Japan, the wa surrounds you. You can feel it in the priciest sushi bars and lowliest noodle parlors. Call it the particular Japanese way of looking at the world; of harmony, of collectiveness with a do-not-rock-the-boat spirit. In the mythology of "Star Wars" movies, the wa is like the Force. To mess with the wa is a cardinal sin.

Junichiro Koizumi messed with the wa.

But perhaps the most surprising thing about the man who will exit the political stage next week as Japan's most important postwar prime minister is that when he messed with the wa, most Japanese discovered a shocking truth: Maybe the wa needed to be messed with.

[Tamar1973]

This almost feels like a political obituary. For such a young man, as well. I hope that Koizumi's future contributions to Japan and the world help people continue to hold him in high-esteem and that he won't become a disgrace like Jimmy Carter.

[JRios1968]

Feel the Wa...but for God's sake, don't let them catch you in a pose like this one!

[cgk]

Goodbye and Good Luck to a great ally.

Just wish we could've seen this before he left:

[mirkwood]

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Fare thee well, Koizumi.