Japan and territory, the cat is away?

As Japanese politicians have turned towards dealing with the reconstruction effort, and with the hawkish Maehara standing down over a scandal, Japan's neighbors are considering their choices.

Alot has already been noted on China's positive and friendly response, more than phone calls, china sent to Japan personnel to help with the disaster in the same way that Japan had sent personnel (JSDF) to China to help during their earthquake in the West. (http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/04/15/opportunity-in-crisis-sino-japanese-relations-after-the-earthquake/)

Korea has also been sympathetic. But the Korea defense establish has taken the opportunity to press forward its claims on the takeshima/dokdo islands. see,

http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/0413/TKY201104120653.html?ref=rss
http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/0412/TKY201104120480.html?ref=rss
http://rss.asahi.com/click.phdo?i=83f4ab513f8b7ad000ad7d990a13c63a

Give a man a fish: Japanese fisherman becoming bureaucrats?

Due to the high levels of radiation found in Squid caught by fishermen in Ibaraki-shi (near Fukushima) a decision has been made not to fish - fairly obviously this is because they can not sell the produce has it is detrimental to public health.

More curiuosly, the local government decided to hire of the fishermen out of work as local government officials for one year. I have no idea what they will do, neither do they.

Compensation is one thing, but taking these men out of the workforce for one year to twiddle their thumbs is not a solution - although in the short term more boots on the ground for reconstruction may not be a bad thing.

http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/0409/TKY201104090353.html?ref=rss