Aso buys books on diplomacy, but no comics

Diplomacy for Dummies

...he paid for the books with a 10,000 yen bill, and also bought a wiping cloth for his glasses.

Can't the media find something more newsworthy to report than Aso's shopping trip?

Slow News day with a Slow PM.

Diplomacy for Dummies Bravo Altria!

No doubt the "Revised Edition." His "First Edition" must be worn out by now.

S

Now he just needs reading lessons and he's set.

Shouldn't he have started to study this earlier?

Kind of a sad article that reminds you of the sad state of politics in this country.

What a bad stunt. I'm sure the government has nothing he could read about the subject. Just another lame effort to get out and try to drum up some public support, "See, you just line up like you guys".

"Best fakist", award for Mr. Aso.

Damn the dude obviously has no idea on anything, he is reading books on how to talk to foreigners...

once he is no longer PM he will have plenty of time to read these if he can stay away from the manga, ha ha

You would think he would keep that private...haha.Where are these men educated in Japan ?? Any old salaryman could be the PM....

This guy has been angling to become prime minister all of his adult life, and he's going out of his way to give the appearance that he's just NOW boning up on international politics and diplomacy? At face-value, this makes Aso Souri-Daijin look very dumb.

This guy has been angling to become prime minister all of his adult life, and he's going out of his way to give the appearance that he's just NOW boning up on international politics and diplomacy? At face-value, this makes Aso Souri-Daijin look very dumb.

Quite clearly he IS very dumb, otherwise he wouldn't have jumped at the chance to come PM when it was obvious (I think) that Fukuda was jumping ship to avoid being the man who led the LDP to election wipe-out. I think he was smart enough to realise that nothing anyone in the LDP can do will win them enough support to maintain controlling majorities in the Diet. Aso clearly is not, and people are starting to realise it - latest opinion polls show he has something like 31% support, down from 48% just last month.

..the mass media staff should be more careful when following this guy..don't let him spot u...then u just might have an interesting stories...lol..

Now he just needs reading lessons and he's set.

If he has not decided yet, i may recommend him "U-CAN" teaching institute that boasts for high success rate !

Doesn't a PM buying diplomacy books fill you with confidence? Shouldn't that experience have been a prerequisite for his PM job?

Aso may Top Bush in my list of people who really should not share their gene pool.

How about "Hooked on Phonics: Gaffe Edition."

He'll be hearing from the manga lobby.

This is fodder for the media. Maybe this story is supposed to be funny.

How does Japan actually stay afloat?

PM Aso needs to know one thing when brushing up on international affairs and diplomacy - no matter how many books he reads, he will still need a world class analyst w/ a proven track record as a soundboard for his initiatives. A world class analyst who deals w/ present day conditions. There may be one in Todai or Kyoto.

As for the diplomacy books, everyone knows it's just for show because Aso won't be able to read any of the kanji in them.

How is this news? Who needs a secretary to pick out books. I could do that job.. how much does she get paid lol. And how comforting.. a PM buying books about politics...

Did he pick up Abe's book about a Beautiful Japan?

Just saw the photo, he's standing there like a hick with a toothpick is his mouth, he's the face of Japan and looks like a blue color know it all.

This article is disconcerting. It sounds like a stalking report - what's the exact importance of knowing the PM of Japan bought a scrap of cloth to wipe his eyeglasses and left a manga book at the counter? I guess the 1-man yen note was kind of mandatory (but yes, it's a good idea not to promote credit card use when the country is at recession). Notice how these three items were carefully identified while the title of the books remains anonymous.

I can only guess the reporter is young and eager to inform the public, but cannot discern which things are important to inform yet. Good luck - you'll improve in time.

wow, some new editions to his bookcase but what about his "sweet valley high" collection.

A little late, don't you think?

lined up at the counter

yeah, wait for your turn. Very unusual for a prime minister.

Headline should have read: "Aso burns books on diplomacy"

The news item about Prime Minister Aso's reading misses the essential point. Mr Aso is now between a rock and a hard place, with popular support for him and his Cabinet plummeting and members of his own Party hinting at large scale defections unless a Lower House Election is called, possibly early in the New Year. Mr Aso, in spite of what he might read, is faced with a stark choice - heed what many voters are saying and call a snap poll, or, risk the fragmentation of the now severely-divided LDP into new, smaller parties. Diplomacy is important, but practicality lies closer to home.

At least the guy's getting the books.

You wanna know what funny. He literally lives 1 minute away from my house. And its annoying as hell having me and friends checked by police all the bloody time. Trust me even our Japanese Neighbors hate him for having not moved out yet from such a residential area and causing constantly trouble.