Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
seemingly felt supported to express himself, albeit no one said he was not
supporting Komeito. What I had learned was that opinions and questions
were usually expressed at smaller gatherings when what seemed like small
groups of friends got together to discuss policies and call their friends to try
to convince them to vote for Komeito. By this time, exactly two weeks before
the election, this group of active Soka Gakkai youth division members were
showing their resolve to challenge any apathy they might have in talking to
their friends about Komeito policies.
Their Headquarters leader (the person I had seen arriving
rst) then got up to
speak. One of the
final speakers, he started by speaking in his normal voice,
then cleared his throat and started to
s great amusement.
Traditionally, speech-giving in Japan requires a more formal, very deter-
mined, usually shouting-like voice that rolls off
'
shout
'
to everyone
'
c and polite language in
speedy procession. It is quite distinct from having a conversation with some-
one. In this way, the leader made fun of the
honori
of speech giving,
which was particularly poignant as he, the leader and last to speak, was
expected most vigorously to express his resolve to support Komeito. There-
fore, when this leader, expected as he was to give a resounding message of
determination to win in the election, began by
'
performance
'
'
forgetting
'
to
'
shout
'
it was to
ing light-hearted and enjoyable; it was as if the underlying message were
everyone
'
'
'
let
s
'
'
'
take what we do seriously, but let
.
When I was asked to come to the front to speak, I felt under a bit of pressure
to say something quick, funny and, of course, in comprehensible Japanese,
but fortunately, as I had been introduced as someone studying Komeito and
their election activities, I could get away with a somewhat less amusing self-
introduction. Nevertheless, I got thunderous applause, big smiles, and admir-
ing glances greeted me as I sat down again. Since they believed that Komeito
was a party for social good, they clearly thought that it was great that I
would be reporting on that to the outside world, as several of them afterwards
told me. At the end of the more formal part of the meeting, we did sansh
-
(chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo three times) and they divided into
s not take ourselves too seriously; let
s enjoy it
five or six
groups according to the district and chapter to which they belonged. The talk
became quieter and more relaxed. I walked around and talked to a few of the
groups and various individuals. Some of them seemed suddenly shyer, parti-
cularly striking in one person who had appeared loud and funny in front of
the crowd some moments earlier when imitating a well-known television
character. On the other hand, I may have been intimidating
foreign, an aca-
demic and female. Others seemed more relaxed and we talked for longer. All
of them had left except two of the leaders when I said goodbye and thank
you.
-
'
Sorry, was it OK? It was a bit loud, we are not usually this loud!?
'
I
assured them it was
fine, and that I had enjoyed myself (omoshirokatta). The
YMD meeting could be described as
, as one
young woman commented to me later, but probably was more rowdy than
usual given the nature of the meeting.
filled with people
'
shouting
'
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