THE MARK OF LEADERSHIP

So Prime Minister Abe finally saw the light, confronted the reality of his party's trouncing in the recent election, looked in his heart for a decisive path of action, and fired the Minister of Agriculture. World leaders seem to be having unusual amounts of trouble discerning reality these days. In one nation, maybe it's the lack of an army to wave around; in another perhaps it's the approach of the Second Coming. The possibilities are legion. Who can explain it? It's certainly not the leader's fault. Maybe it's because they're not used to sincerely apologizing.

[Update, Aug. 3: Public support for Abe drops to 22%]

[Update, Aug. 5: Myths About the Japan That Just Said No]