Current location:entertainment >>
VOX POPULI: Shizuoka head’s sudden exit leaves question about his ‘talent’
entertainment673People have gathered around
IntroductionMy image of the prototypical Japanese military officers who were born during the Meiji Era (1868-191 ...
My image of the prototypical Japanese military officers who were born during the Meiji Era (1868-1912) is that of taciturn men who lead others with their appearances seen from behind.
However, Isoroku Yamamoto (1884-1943), the commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet during World War II, once asserted that, “You cannot get people to do what you want unless you show them how to do it, tell them specifically why you want them to do it, let them try it by themselves and then praise them.”
This is a fine message to bear in mind when welcoming this year’s new workers. Yamamoto was born on April 4 exactly 140 years ago.
In contrast, Shuzuoka Governor Heita Kawakatsu’s recent speech was anything but fine, even though he insisted that if people read his entire speech, they would realize they’d misunderstood his intent.
“Do not be a sycophant, do not throw your weight around your juniors and do not abandon people who are going through a rough patch,” he has said, and I certainly agree with him.
But Kawakatsu definitely crossed the line when he insulted produce farmers, cattle farmers and factory workers by rating them as “less intelligent” than prefectural officials.
“I am sincerely sorry,” he apologized at a news conference on April 3.
But then he said he had no intention of retracting his remarks. Completely devoid of weight, his words just floated aimlessly in the air.
One thing I don’t understand is that he cited the magnetic levitation (maglev) high-speed train project as the main reason for his decision to resign as governor.
The Shizuoka prefectural government has not approved the maglev line’s tunnel construction work within its jurisdiction.
And on March 29, Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) announced its new Shinkansen line would not begin operating in 2027 as planned.
This, according to Kawakatsu, indicated that the project had reached the “end of one phase.”
But what has that got to do with his stepping down as governor? Simply put, why he is quitting remains unexplained.
Yamamoto wrote, “Men of middling talent are propped up by their professional status, men of great talent don’t let their status get in their way and men of little talent tarnish their status.”
Kawakatsu was an economist when his political acumen was recognized 15 years ago and he became a local administrator.
And now, he is simply exiting the stage in a rather abrupt manner. What is the size of his talent? Great, middling or small?
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 4
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Series news portal”。http://maldives.cezaryphotography.com/news-47e199945.html
Related articles
The family of Irvo Otieno criticizes move to withdraw murder charges against 5 deputies
entertainmentA Virginia judge has signed off on a prosecutor’s request to withdraw charges against five more peop ...
Read moreSri Lanka extends demining body's tenure for landmine free nation
entertainment(Xinhua) 09:09, February 26, 2024COLOMBO, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government has decided ...
Read moreU.S. artists voice concerns over situation in Gaza amid anti
entertainment(Xinhua) 14:59, March 13, 2024AUSTIN, the United States, March 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. artists attending ...
Read more
Popular articles
- Powerful ethnic armed group in western Myanmar claims to capture base and hundreds of soldiers
- UK cuts national insurance contributions for workers in spring budget
- Record storms in California lead to surging deadly fungal infections
- India's election commission directs political parties not to involve children in campaigning
- Prostate cancer breakthrough means thousands of men could avoid devastating chemotherapy
- U.S. artists voice concerns over situation in Gaza amid anti
Latest articles
The EU's executive decides to end legal standoff with Poland over democracy concerns
U.S. House Republicans fail to impeach homeland security secretary over border security
U.S. artists voice concerns over situation in Gaza amid anti
22 killed, 10 injured as tractor trolley overturns in India
White Sox recall Mike Clevinger from Triple
Michigan voters go to polls for 2024 U.S. presidential primary
LINKS
- China Creates over 2.5 Million New Jobs for Fresh Graduates
- Annual College Entrance Exam Concludes in Some Parts of China
- Cultural and Creative Products Showcased at Metro Station in N China
- Economic Watch: Beijing Sees Booming Holiday Consumption
- Yangtze Island Tours Put Kids in Touch with Nature
- Chinese Courts Empowered to Better Support Family Education, Protect Minors
- Night Economy Booms Across China During Labor Day Holiday
- China's Annual Vocational Education Week Opens in Shandong
- Primary School Offers Routine Training Program for Students in Fuling Village, E China
- (China Economic Roundtable) Chinese Economy Sees Hard