Japan's Conspiracy (32-2)
Japan's Conspiracy (32-2)
== Funny Political Puns (2) ===
Previously I talked about three cases of politicians below (See Note 1).
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kenyan former president Daniel Arap Moi
UN special envoy to Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari
And this time, let me pick up two cases more.
=== Olusegun Obasanjo ===
His last name, "Obasanjo," sounds very funny for Japanese. "Obasan" literally means "an old woman" in Japanese. But it is, in fact, a funny and insulting expression. If you use this word to a Japanese young woman, I'm sure she will go mad.
Mr Obasanjo is a retired Nigerian Army general and former President of Nigeria. He has visited Japan more than 10 times. He is not only a Japanophile but also a good friend of Mr Koizumi. He rushed to Japan to say "Thank you" to Koizumi when Koizumi would resign in September 2006 (See Note 2).
A growing number of critics within Nigeria have accused Obasanjo's government of selectively targeting his anti-corruption drive against political opponents and ethnic militants, ignoring growing concerns about wide-scale corruption within his own inner political circle (See Note 3).
=== Barack Obama ===
There are at least nine places whose names are Obama. It literally means a small beach in Japanese. Obama is a good old name. Obama city in Fukui is near Kyoto (See Note 4). It has many historical relics related to emperors. Obama hot spring is another old tourist destination (See Note 5).
Japanese borrow the word "barrack" and pronounce "baraku" in Japanese in the same meaning. So, his name is straightforward for them to remember.
He came from Hawaii. Hawaii is a place that has a complicated history with Japan. Japanese TV and newspaper companies obviously support him. His word "Change" always reminds me of Koizumi's same catchphrase once used (See Note 6).
<postscript 1>
Hillary Clinton, another presidential candidate, is a little difficult for the Japanese to pronounce. And some Japanese confuse her last name with Japanese sweet "Kuri Kinton", mashed sweet potato with sweet chestnuts (See Note 7).
By the way, there was a funny episode between Bill Clinton and Japanese former prime minister Yoshiro Mori (See Note 8).
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in July 2007
Prime Minister Mori was given some basic English conversation training before visiting Washington and meeting with President Bill Clinton. The instructor told Mori, "Prime Minister, when you shake hand with President Clinton, please say 'how are you.
Then Mr Clinton should say, "I am fine, and you?" Now you should say 'me too'. Afterwards, we, translators, will do all the work for you."
It looks quite simple, but the truth is...
When Mori met Clinton, he mistakenly said, "Who Are You?" Mr Clinton was a bit shocked but still managed to react with humour: "Well, I am Hillary's husband, haha..."Then Mori replied confidently, "Me too, hahaha.."
Then there was a long silent moment in the meeting room.
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<postscript 2>
I have little information about the presidential candidates in the US. Yet, I know that its process is much better than that of Japan. As the history of Greece and the Roman Empire shows, progressive political systems often suffer interruption and subversion. I hope the election will go smoothly.
I respect US presidents simply because Americans really elect them.
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Japan's Conspiracy (32)
Haha conspiracy story are always funny to read! Just as number theory, a mix of supersition, magie, ... I'm a Non-native English speaker. And it is often very difficult to make a funny story. To tell the truth, your response is a good evaluation for my English. Cheery, this last post would...
----------(Note 2)-----------------
Mr Obasanjo, President of Nigeria, to Visit Japan
(Japanese)
----------(Note 3)-----------------
Olusegun Obasanjo
----------(Note 4)-----------------
Obama, Fukui
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Obama Onsen (Obama Hot Spring)
----------(Note 6)-----------------
Barack Obama
----------(Note 7)-----------------
Kuri Kinton (mashed sweet potato with sweet chestnuts)
グラウンドホッグデーの他に、私の一番好きな祝日はお正月です。毎年楽しみにしています。でも、ほとんどの人がお正月はフットボールを見る日だと思っていることをいつも忘れてしまいます。知らない人のために言っておくと、お正月は日本で「お正月」と呼ばれ、一年で最も重要で豪華な祝日です。日系アメリカ人が正月について話すとき、たいていは「おせち」(正月の食べ物)について話す。例えば、長寿を願って大晦日に食べる「そば」(そば粉の麺)、元旦の朝に食べる栗きんとん(サツマイモと甘栗を潰したもの)ときんぴらごぼう(煮たゴボウ)の雑煮、そしてもちろん日本酒のショットなど。しかし、新年について考えるとき、その日に行...
www.discovernikkei.org
----------(Note 8)-----------------
How are you?
http://sundayhello.com/museum/hoax/mori.html
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