Posted on 06/22/2005 7:45:17 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
/begin my translation
Japan: "You are drunk, too!" -- Embarrassing Accusations over Showing up Drunk at Legislature
2005/06/22
"Never drank a drop(of alcohol)!" "You look flushed. You were drinking!"
Japanese lawmakers at the main session of the lower house were engaged in exchanging embarrassing accusations over showing up drunk at the session. On June 17th, after the end of the daily session, the largest opposition party, Minshuto, submitted, to Kono Yohei, the chairman of the lower house, a motion for reprimand against two lawmakers, including former Prime Minister Mori Yoshiro, accusing them of showing up drunk at the vote over whether to extend the legislature session.
Countering this charge, LDP submitted their own motion against three lawmakers of the opposition, claiming, "Opposition party members also showed up drunk." In response, two days later on June 19th, Minshuto submitted another motion, alleging that four (ruling coalition) lawmakers, Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro and LDP Executive Secretary Takabe Tsutomu, also showed up drunk.
In response, on June 20th, Prime Minister Koizumi sent a letter of protest to Okada Kasya, the chairman of Minshuto, saying that the allegation of his drunkenness by Minshuto is "patently false." Prime Minster Koizumi, who had a visit to S. Korea ahead, told reporters, "I never had any drinks nor any kind of alcohol on that day. I have no idea why they submitted such ludicrous motion (against me) in the name of their party." He went on to denounce that they are really irresponsible party.
A Minshuto lawmaker who is the target of LDP's reprimand motion, countered, "I went to a party in the evening, but had only oolong tea," while another (from the oppostion party) insisted, "When we had a toast with a glass of whisky with water, I just touched the glass with my lips, but never drank."
In response to Prime Minister Koizumi's protest, Chairman Okada backed off, saying, "The circumstantial evidences point to him showing up drunk, but if he insists that he never did, we will refrain from leveling the charge until it is corroborated by further evidences."
Then, on June 20th, the ruling coalition, made up of LDP and Komeito, put forth a motion for reprimand against 3 members of Minshuto's Executive Committees for submitting a groundless motion against them. Again, in yet another round of vicious cycle, Minshuto put forth their own motion against 6 members of ruling coalition's Executive Committee.
(Tokyo, Chung Kwon-hyun)
/end my translation
hehe... a Japanese version of Clinton in the making.
Ping!
I do not have a drinking problem. I get on the chair no problem, I order a drink no problem. I drink the drink no problem. I fall off the chair no problem. I just have a staying on the chair problem.
I do not have a drinking problem. I get on the chair no problem, I order a drink no problem. I drink the drink no problem. I fall off the chair no problem. I just have a staying on the chair problem.
This may surprise you [as it did I], but Japan has the highest rate of alcoholics in the world - far outdoing Russia.
Rather than a denial of the original allegations, this is more like "I'll see your bet and raise it".
funnier the first time... :o)
Ted Kennedy is Japanese?
He will feel right at home, but the problem is that he will be caught red-handed. He is so blatant when it comes to booze and women.
So, two friends were out drinking when suddenly one lurched backward off his barstool and lay motionless on the floor. "One thing about Jim," his buddy said to the bartender, "He knows when to stop."
Always loved that one... :)
No surprise at all. You can buy beer and whiskey from vending machines on the street.
heh. Would love it if one of the 'pubs pulled this on Teddy during a Senate debate.
Tedward 'The Swimmer' Kennedy would love it there!
"Land of the Rising Suntori"
You just gotta love a story with such an accusatory headline.
And if you don't, you are drunk too.
Hey if I worked in the legislature, I'd be drunk also.
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