david said: a miniature version of U.S. civic democracy. In other words, viewers believe it's a "fair and genuine contest" where the singers are judged on talent/presentation alone

and i say: but then here we have to crack that old chestnut dealing with the argument that because of the very nature of american civic democracy, there will be, due to gaps in education (various kinds: physical, academic) caused by socio/economic imbalences, natural tendencies for the skills of various demographic groups in america...and this usually overlaps with, sadly, ethnicity. america still hasn't found a good way out of this catch-22 yet, has it david? now compare that with japan's (relative) lack of any kind of analogous situation. perhaps --instead of evening the odds--- this やらせ phenomenon is all about 'odding the evens' if you'll pardon the expression. naturally, i'm offering this half in jest, but...

This is a nice entry. I like that.

I think that, the thing is, Americans are simple enough to believe that they can run and are running their democracy truly fairly and Japanese are ignoran enough to doubt that they can and should run their democracy pretty fairly :-p

Yeah, I think this is a good point. I'm not really talking about actual political control as much as "perceptions" of political control. There is certainly more accountability and political transparency in America (although Bush-Cheney are trying to do undo this), whereas in Japan, like Asayan no one really knows what's going on behind closed doors. And those who do know won't tell.

just curious marxy, did you vote this last time around?

I get to vote by absentee ballot in Florida, so I've been pretty militant for the last 4-5 years about voting. I don't think I voted for mid-term candidates in 2002, but I will in 2006.

Or are you talking about American Idol?

Interesting reflection. Are there native japanese commenting here? I would truly like to hear their perspectives on this comment:

Those who don't care about the "reality" of their media tend not to care about the "reality" of their reality.

If this is true, why is it? Do you mean that there is a lack of concern or awareness of the Japanese for politics or for one's situation in general. Do you mean that Japan is dreaming?
Are japanese politicians treated as royalty, the same way the emperors were treated? Do japanese politicians serve the country as a whole compared to the partisan-type politics of the U.S.?
You have to excuse my ignorance and lack of focus/knowledge here. There are so many questions popping up when reading this.

I'm glad you're voting, Marxy, but not in Palm Beach county, I hope:

Out of Palm Beach County emerged one of the least restrictive standards for determining a valid punch-card ballot. The county elections board determined that a chad hanging by up to two corners was valid and that a dimple or a chad detached in only one corner could also count if there were similar marks in other races on the same ballot. If that standard had been adopted statewide, the study shows a slim, 42-vote margin for Gore. - CNN

Do you mean that there is a lack of concern or awareness of the Japanese for politics or for one's situation in general?

Yes. Even if there are legitimate complaints against the ruling government and socio-political trends, they aren't turned into "political" action.

Do you mean that Japan is dreaming?

It definitely appears that way, but deep down I can't help but think it's because the whole system's stacked to make it look that way.

Are japanese politicians treated as royalty, the same way the emperors were treated?

I would say no, but there is a very traditional Confucian idea that politics is the politicans' business and not the people's. At least in the 50s and early 60s, there were massive protests against the government, but once the standard of living went up, all political consciousness fizzled out, especially on the Left.