THERE'S, LIKE, A JAPANESE VERSION OF EVERYTHING: Something or other is always described as "the X of Japan," even though it's usually a lazy shorthand and whatever the X is really isn't like his/her/it's alleged non-Japanese counterpart. But! Sometimes it's true! The DPJ really is the Obama of Japan! Maybe even more so--it depends on whether breaking decades of one-party rule and then going quickly into disillusionment is more paradigm-shattering than being the first black guy in the White House and then going quickly into disillusionment. Actually it's a thorny question since the DPJ being disappointing also involves Obama being disappointing...

(Via D.)