If 2008 cannot be called an "annus horribilis," it is only because 2009 might hold even more shocks and surprises. Even outside the worsening economy, everything in Japan seemed a bit subprime in 2008. A midyear survey found that more than 70 percent of Japanese — the highest percentage ever — were worried about their everyday lives and the future. It is not hard to understand why.

One worry stems from lingering attitudes and habits. Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff General Toshio Tamogami was dismissed from his post and retired over an essay that denied Japan's military aggression in the 1930s and '40s and showed revisionist nationalist sentiments. The resignation of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in September might have signaled a change, but Prime Minister Taro Aso had a way of making gaffes that were not funny. His transport minister, Nariaki Nakayama, resigned after several Aso-style gaffes, including one in which he said Japan is "ethnically homogenous."

Whatever those in power were doing all year, they were not effectively protecting food safety. 2008 could be called "the year of tainted food." Packaged "gyoza" dumplings imported from China contained pesticide that poisoned consumers. Even more shocking was the scandalous resale of contaminated rice to makers of rice flour, cakes and school lunches. Other scandals — falsely labeled imported eel, mislabeled beef and the sale of expired food by Senba Kitcho, one of the most well-established food and restaurant companies — led to the shut-down of several companies. Connect these dots and an image of a dangerous neglect of protective regulations emerges.