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Japan: Obama gets support from Japanese city

Categories: East Asia, Japan, Democratic Party, Government & Politics, International Relations

Excitement is growing in a sleepy fishing town on the coast of the Japan Sea. The city of Obama [1], whose name means “little beach” in Japanese, is receiving unusual attention [2] for its coincidental resemblance to the name of a certain US presidential candidate.

Obama merchandise, from T-shirts to manju [3] to chopsticks with Obama's face printed on them, is sold at local shops and posters are put up at every corner of the city. On Super Tuesday, a volunteer group that supports Obama organized a “public viewing” event [4], attended by about 300 residents wearing their Obama T-shirts and headbands. Adding to the excitement, the mayor of Obama received a letter from the Senator expressing appreciation for their support.

A blogger [5] [Ja] shares the city's excitement:

It is quite a surprise that a letter addressed to the city arrived from [Senator] Obama.
Even though it was for the support that came from a place that has no influence [on the election].

It shows Mr. Obama's greatness as a person.
I think it marks a huge difference [between him] and another person who is competing using her husband's achievements and name value.

On the other hand, many bloggers have expressed critical views and pointed out that the candidate's policy does not seem to matter to the Japanese Obama “campaign” and it lacks political sensitivity.

stoyachi [6] writes:

とはいえ、オバマ氏の政治手腕は未知数。日本に対してどのような政策を実行するのかもわかりませんね。

Having said that, Obama's skills in politics are unknown. We don't even know what kind of policy he would implement for Japan.

One of the users of a news BBS commented expressing their critical opinion [7]:

この選挙に対する選挙権もないわけで、ただのお祭り騒ぎと傍観していてもよいかもしれません。

しかし、小浜市民の全員がオバマ氏を支持しているわけでもないだろうし、ましてや税金使って応援グッズを贈ったり、「市長」自らが「健闘を祈りたい」ということには、違和感を覚えます。

Because they don't have the voting rights in this election, maybe it's ok for them to party and be onlookers.

However, I don't think all the people of Obama City support Mr. Obama, and not only that, spending tax money on sending merchandise, and the mayor himself wishing [Obama] good luck — I think there's something wrong about this.

オバマ氏は、米国の将来を決める大統領になるため、自らの信念を掲げて立候補しているわけで。
米国民の生活がかかっているわけですよね。責任重大です。
なのに、日本のある行政機関が、そのオバマ氏の主張や主義を認めて応援するのではなく、単に「音」が一緒だから応援するというのは、ヘンじゃないでしょうか?

Mr. Obama is running the campaign diplaying his belief in order to become a president who will determine the future of the US.
American people's lives are at stake. It's a great responsibility.
Despite this, isn't it strange that one administrative body supports [Obama] just because the name sounds the same, not because they agree with Mr. Obama's message and principles?

Although not entirely critical, this blogger [8] provides a cynical view:

ポリシーなど何もなく、節操がない様な気もするが、これはこれで良いのでは。オバマ氏が大統領になったとしても、小浜市を訪れることはないと思うけど、地方都市が(ヤケッパチ(?)でも)元気を出しているのは今どき悪いことではない。小浜市には小浜さんという名字の方もたくさん居るのだろう。一方、日本には「くりんとん市」は無い。「ヒラリーの涙」と名付けたワインが出回ることもないだろう。名前を聞いただけで「超辛口」で飲む気がしない。

There seems to be no policy and no principle but I guess this is OK. Even if Obama becomes president, I don't think he will ever visit the city of Obama, it's not a bad thing that a rural city is picking up and has so much energy in this day and age. There must be a lot of poeple whose family name is Obama in Obama City. On the other hand, there is no city called “Kurinton (Clinton)” in Japan. I guess there will never be wine named “Clinton's Tears”. The name alone makes me not want to drink it as it sounds “super dry”.