The term sensei is used quite casually. Though it is meant to mark someone of skill or learning, it is mostly applied to individuals because of their position regardless of how they obtained it. One can understand why doctors and teachers are called it, but politicians?
Finding out how much sensei really know is the theme of "Bakusho Mondai and Japanese Citizens Ask Sensei to Explain" (TV Asahi, Tuesday, 7 p.m.), where Bakusho Mondai, the ubiquitous comedy duo, and a panel of celebrities grill various sensei on their grasp of their particular subject. The political part of the show is highlighted by the appearance of former Liberal Democratic Party honcho Koichi Hamada, who is better known by his tarento nickname Hamako. Hamada will predictably blow his top while explaining controversial issues such as the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces overseas and post office privatization.
On Oct. 5 at 11 p.m., NHK's BS-2 channel will present a Czech documentary about Mitsuko Aoyama, the daughter of a Meiji Era antique merchant who married an Austrian diplomat, Heinrich Coudenhove-Kalergi.
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