Japanese foreign minister apologizes for Alzheimer's joke

[Foxy Brown]

Japan's outspoken foreign minister apologized Friday for joking that "even people with Alzheimer's disease" would know the difference in price between Japanese and Chinese rice.

[mode107]

Geez, what's with all these Japanese Ministers saying something stupid and gets them in trouble and in the news?

[thatguy]

Well it's not like the rest of us don't say things like that in real life

It just goes to show that politicians are still human. And if we don't what we hear, then who are we to blame them for becoming dishonest from time to time?

[nop]

I just realize that Japan has a very serious political correctness problem. Seems that Japan wants  politician robot with no jokes , no mistake, no emotion.  Everytime someone said something in a slightest possibility of offending anyone, they have to come out to overly apologize. Media would jump them non-stop.  Society really has a characteristics of being ashame all the time.   Probably better Japanese politicians are ones that can uphold charade (lies) the best.

Everybody should continue to work their best, take care of their responsibilities, and get good results.

[thatguy]

^ Yes, it's called tatemae and honne (click here for the Wiki), and it's one of the most important parts of Japanese culture. Of course, "political correctness" (in the modern sense) is a western ideal, and saying that leaders ought to be politically correct is to impose those ideals on a foreign culture--so you tell me where the problem is.

[zibbe]

pheww!!!  ,that´s a cruel joke, but; at least he apologized.

[Sexykago]

When you're in politics, especially on in a important position like foreign minister it's best to avoid dark humor. Or anything that could be offensive to anyone really.