I am coming to a crucial part of my PhD studies (the end) and I don’t have as much time to pay attention to the comings and goings of Japanese domestic politics right now. I will attempt to post something (or some things) just before the election later this year in July, but don’t be too surprised if there is little other than that.
I have jotted down a few thoughts at JSW regarding a recent NY Times article which had the rather unnecessary headline of “Japan Moving Further Away from Pacifism.”
It isn’t short, but if you have the time and interest, then by all means.
σ1 
Good luck with the doctorate. Remember, when it comes to the viva, ‘minor revisions’ pretty much = ‘win’.
I’m given to understand by smarter people than me, at least.
Many thanks – yes, that is what I have been told also! At my university they used to ambush you and not tell you too much about the concerns they were going to raise in the defense of the thesis. Apparently they now have to let you know a little bit in advance what issues they are going to grill you on, which is nice.
You should drop the humility (you are worse than a Kiwi!). There is a saying something along the lines of “Too modest is half boastful.” 🙂
OK then – “I’m given to understand by people who actually have PhDs.” One of the many (occasionally dubious) fringe benefits of working out of a students union. 🙂
That’s better 🙂 More than intelligence perhaps the most important trait needed to get a PhD is a bizarre obsessive streak. Plenty of “successful” but not particularly bright (or sociably capable) PhDs around!!
Thanks for the comment and good luck!!
Winners win…you know that…keep pushin”!!
Cheers, man, every little bit of encouragement helps at this point! In all honesty the end period of a PhD is the worst thing I have willingly put myself through. I now completely understand why so many people have mental “disturbances” and fail to finish the PhD. But, it will be vanquished!