The American media's resurgent interest in U.S. President George Bush's service as a fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard in the early '70s might seem opportunistic given its timing. The controversy over whether or not Bush fulfilled his obligation to the Guard -- records show unaccounted for gaps in his service -- first flared up in 2000 during the last presidential campaign, and then died down after the election.

Now that another campaign is under way the story resurfaces in much the same way, spurred by inflammatory comments (filmmaker Michael Moore going so far as to accuse Bush of being a "deserter"). However, this time the story has more weight, since America is now at war. As the commander in chief and not just a contender, Bush is responsible for the more than 500 American lives that have been lost in Iraq. Though his Guard service may have no direct bearing on his performance as president, it has a tremendous bearing on his authority, especially given the belief in some quarters that Bush entered the National Guard in order to avoid combat duty in Vietnam.

The Bush brouhaha provides sobering contrast to the Japanese media attention to various public figures' past academic records, most of which not only have no bearing on their current performance as politicians, but no bearing on anything at all.