Appearance of Japan's new PM on cooking show is bad omen

Andrew Walker at New Mandala blogs:

. . . the election of Taro Aso as Japan’s third Prime Minister in two years. The ABC site reports that Aso is “known for being a blunt speaker.” Ouch!

But there is worse … much worse. According to the report on ABC evening news:

Mr Aso has assiduously built his profile. Appearances like this on a celebrity cooking show have boosted his appeal.

Why is Andrew horrified? He remembers what happened to the last Asian prime minister to appear on a cooking show.