On February 28th, the Langley Esquire team attended a welcome party for the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, a postgraduate program at the National University of Singapore. The school is famous for teaching international students, particularly those from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in fields such as politics, NGOs/NPOs and journalism.

While there is no law or mention within the National Government Organization Act that defines it, there is an understanding of “importance” within and among the various Ministries that make up the Japanese government. It is rumored that within the 12 Ministries and Single Cabinet, there are a certain number of organizations that stand out in budget, authority, and tradition. These special few are called “The Big 5.”

One facet of working in the world of Japan Public Affairs is being a frequent visitor into Japan’s National Diet. The hustle-and-bustle of politics never feels closer than when you’re dining with a Councilor in the sushi restaurant in the basement of the Main Building or passing through phalanxes of megaphone-blaring protestors as you meander between the three office buildings behind the Main Building that house 722 offices, one for every Diet Member.