So, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has gone out on a limb and suggested that Japanese lawmakers engaging in debate in the Diet should speak in Japanese. Last week he reportedly chided an opposition member for asking a question sprinkled with English-language terms. On the one hand, that seems reasonable. What are languages for, if not to be honored and protected on their home turf? Where did the lawmaker think he was -- at the United Nations? On the other hand, it also seems a tad quixotic. All the scolding in the world will not stop languages rubbing shoulders in an increasingly borderless world, even in staid old Kasumigaseki.
According to reports, Mr. Koizumi scored all the easy points in last week's incident, prompting laughter and cheers in the Diet when he told the linguistically ambitious opposition legislator to "use words that people can understand."
"Who understands words like 'compliance' and 'governance' "? the prime minister asked. "Some members know English. I've studied a bit. But debates shouldn't be limited to those who understand English. Debates are for everyone."