So yet another Japanese prime minister comes out of the woodwork. One gets so tired of talking about revolving doors, merry-go-rounds, musical chairs and passing the parcel.

In fairness, Yoshihiko Noda is a lot less objectionable than some of the other revolving persons we have had to accept as prime minister in the past. Even though he calls himself a loach, he seems to be more normal than is the norm for those denizens of the Japanese political establishment. That said, there is one thing that I, for one, find most objectionable about what is apparently Noda's basic approach to the prime ministership. And that is that he has declared himself a no-sider.

The declaration came in the wake of his successful bid for the leadership of his own Democratic Party of Japan. Having secured that position and therefore the prime ministerial ticket as well, Noda went on to say that there should be no more feuds, infighting and backstabbing. "Let this be the no-side moment," he said.