Field Trip to the Japanese National Diet

Tokyo, June 11, 2008

The National Diet is the seat for Japanese Government, similar to our House of Representatives.  Like in the United States, security does not permit us to take pictures while inside the building.  However, while we were touring the building, Ishi-san our Japanese guide told us stories about the people and the building.  The Diet was constructed in the 1920's and took 17 years to complete.  All materials used in its construction are recycled from domestic sources except for the stained glass windows from Great Britain and the brass doorknobs and mail slots from the United States.  Traditionally, Japanese buildings did not employ a lock and key system.  The Central Hall of the Diet contains 3 bronze statues placed in three of the four corners of the room.  Each figure represents an important Japanese Politician who is heralded as devoting his life to Japan's parliamentary system; Hirobumi Ito - Japan's first prime minister, Taisuke Itagki, famous for his advocacy of freedom of speech, and Shigenobu Okuma who founded the first Japanese University.  According to our guide, the fourth corner of the central hall is left vacant on purpose.  With great humor, Ishi-san explained that by leaving the fourth corner vacant, it is the hope of the Japanese people that their parliamentarians will work tirelessly to earn the privilege of occupying that fourth corner! We Americans need to develop some similar incentives for our politicians I should think.  One important discovery for me since I have been in Japan is that the Japanese use humor throughout their discourse with each other and with us.  Every encounter I have had leaves me laughing or smiling. Now, it is important to note there is something else that we could learn from our esteemed hosts.  Tact.  One of our teachers, I am sure quite innocently asked our guide who the current prime minister of Japan is.  I could sense see our gentle and friendly guide, Ishi-san withdraw.  Understandably so - how embarrassing it was to witness a teacher admit that he did not know the name of the head of state for the country he was visiting ( and need I repeat paying the bill for this entire adventure).  Japan Fulbrighters - please be careful out there!  We Americans are ambassadors to this country and we must work hard to dispel the view that we are ignorant, arrogant and at the very least insensitive.