Kevin Rafferty's May 26 article, "Japan: the silent IMF partner," enlightened me on how the system overseeing global finance works. We should have known and discussed these facts earlier.
As for the Japanese elites who should have a say in selecting the next chief of the International Monetary Fund, we can expect nothing positive from them. We live in a country where reasonable argument cannot match the forces guarding the status quo. Only external pressure — aka U.S. coercion — or a tragedy like a big quake or nuclear accident can alter the power equation and the public charades of our leaders. We can't even raise a voice against the way the managing directors of NHK, the public broadcaster who demands TV-viewing fees, are appointed.
How do we change the apathy that allows this pathetic state to remain as is? In fact, the men in charge of Japanese financial policies may be looking forward to being IMF-whipped by Christine Lagarde, France's finance minister.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.