Loose Cannon Alert

Shortly before another earthquake rattled the coast devastated by last year's monster quake, Tokyo's governor--the man who single-handedly created the Senkaku Island/China/Korea/Taipei problem--called a press conference: he was quitting his job as governor of Tokyo. He had a new calling to answer. He felt called upon to establish his own political party, to allow him to perform on the national stage.

If you like Japanese history, you are surely aware of the Meiji Era, when statesmen of great ability rallied their talents to re-create Japan. This is not the Meiji Era. It is the age of politicians creating their own fan clubs and calling them political parties.

It was as if yesterday's earthquake were shaking up Japan and reminding us, hey! You need to rethink your priorities! Does anyone really think yet setting up another mini-political party is a serious priority?

Meanwhile, Mr. Ishihara's resignation has been accepted and the vacated job can be expected to go to the deputy governor, Mr. Naoki INOSE. In Mr. Inose's previous career as a non-fiction writer, he established a reputation as an idea man. Let's see how he does in his new incarnation as Tokyo governor.