HONORABLE

Prime minister Fukuda bows at a news conference where he announced his resignation.





NEWS are all over about the sudden resignation of Yasuo Fukuda as Prime Minister of Japan. Varied reactions came from all sectors of the populace. As expected, fliers from major broadsheets gave out free late editions of the news last night. Most TV stations interviewed people from the streets and aired their reactions on national broadcast.

SOME says the timing was a surprise to all, including people close to the former Prime Minister himself. They say there were different plans that need to be carried out. Everything they had planned, they say, were hampered by blocks from opposition parties{ which is understandable,,,,}, hence, nothing could ever be achieved. This prompted Fukuda to resign but the timing appears too soon. Fukuda was said to be still mulling on the revamp of his cabinet before the announcement last night.

CRITICISMS abound about the sudden resignation of Fukuda. Reactions were varied, polls were opened to seek people's mind. Some say they weren't surprised since they saw it coming; Others were disappointed and voiced that Fukuda should have tried to push through with his planned reforms. Still, many were angry at the resignation and asked: 'How many more reshuffles/resignations can Japan tolerate? They suggested that it is time to form another political party that would replace the ruling majority. But a small majority maintains that Fukuda's action was an honorable thing to do.


I BELIEVE it's a combination of all the above views, but I'd like to delve more on the word honorable and how people here have been guided by it since the olden days. That's a far cry from that moley-dopey- power-grabber in some far-away islands whose smiles are as fake as a worn-down papermache in Boac.


BEING honorable is a Japanese trademark since the days of the Samurais. There are of course, specks of bad boys here as anywhere in the world. But in my heart, I believe there are still more honorable men left in government. And the best they could do is to give way to other good men who would lead a nation better than they think they can.


HONORABLE is the word. Fukuda feels he was so ineffective, so he chose to give way to others who might make the reforms go on smoothly. Some Samurais of old even resort to Seppuku/Harakiri {embowelment} to atone for their shame. This trait is sorely lacking in that cold, cold heart {... if ever she has one!} of that squatter by the murky Pasig. Will that sinister, tantrum-trotting madam pave a peaceful way to power-change in her banana republic? Or will the people need to drag her out of Malacanang? OR will she opt for the honorable way of doing a Harakiri? Your guess is as good as mine.