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   Minoru Saba (minorusaba@toad.social)'s status on Sunday, 06-Apr-2025 11:19:33 JST Minoru Saba

   #Japan's "PM Ishiba... is exploring the possibility of a [phone call] with US Pres..., calling his imposition of reciprocal tariffs a "national crisis" that requires an "unprecedented" response"
   https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250404/p2g/00m/0na/032000c

   🔸Mum (who as a teenager survived Tokyo firebombing) was disappointed PM "was doing nothing to counter tariffs".
   Told her PM would go thru the motions, but nothing would stick as it was like negotiating with a gangland boss. It would take time, but better for world to bypass USA.

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     Minoru Saba (minorusaba@toad.social)'s status on Sunday, 06-Apr-2025 14:01:59 JST Minoru Saba

     in reply to

     Mum felt the world was edging towards war and felt sorry for the younger generations.
     Tried to cheer her up by saying the antics of politicians & media sensationalism distorted reality (though personally not too confident we're immune from the clown show & can resist the siren's song of a "strong leader who'll fix everything")
     Told her it was a wake up call for Japan to diversify away from over-dependence on car manufacturing & re-examine its strategic strengths such as in materials.