He might have encyclopedic knowledge of manga, but our new prime minister proved at a recent press conference that he can't really read kanji. He mispronounced at least four words written in high school-to-college level kanji by his speech writer. "The guy needs furigana (captions deciphering kanji) on all his speeches," one politician mocked. "What an embarrassment that the guy who represents Japan to the world can't read Japanese!" another rightfully declared.
When approached by a team of reporters on this subject, Aso deflected. "I just misread, that's all," he said hastily, and then shuffled away from the podium.
Geeks had previously given our manga-loving prime minister the affectionate nickname Taro "Rozen" Aso after his favorite manga, Rozen Maiden. He now has a new nickname, Taro "KY" Aso—Taro "Kanji Yomenai" Aso, or Taro "I-can't-read-kanji" Aso. (KY is a popular geek term for someone who isn't in on the joke, like Michael Scott from The Office. You can read more about the concept and take a KY Quiz here.)
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Dear Aso, Kanji is a pain. Everyone knows this and that's why furigana is often used. Those that say it is there to help children, is a half truth.
Posted by: vagrant | November 15, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Hm, couldn't it be that Aso simply suffers from dyslexia?
Posted by: Mat | November 15, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Dearn Prime Minister Aso,
Please help us in our digging project w/c was temporarily stopped due to lack in financing. We've already reached the hardener w/c looks like a powdered cement when it dries. We also got here various markings like heart, pyramid, shoe, dog, man's skull and many others. We also got here shells, pebbles, black clay, fine sand, wood, baggasse and man-nade stones w/c when broken has fine gold in it. Our site have been checked by 17 hunters already and their findings was that, it contained tonnage of gold bars and it has also platinum and diamonds in it. Sir, please help us coz you're our only hope. I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon. You can contact me at this number 09109944612. Sir this is not a scam so please help us. Thank you and may GOD bless you always. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Posted by: aileena. peniano | December 27, 2008 at 11:14 PM
What do you mean by "our prime minister"? You mean "Japanese PM" or are you a Japanese national?
Posted by: Saint Isaac | August 31, 2009 at 04:38 PM