'Zippergate' infests Tokyo's ballrooms

By Edward Neilan

Scandal at top in United States produces a certain distraction, image of lack of leadership by U.S. amid financial crisis.

TOKYO (JP): At three recent international social events in Tokyo, it was hard to get a word in edgewise about Japan's economic recovery efforts and the Asian financial crisis, the scary rocket shot across Japanese airspace by North Korea or the forthcoming visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

Everyone, it seemed, wanted to talk about "Monica."

Or, about Monica and "Bill," as in Bill Clinton, President of the United States of America.

Gossip about sexual scandals seldom dominates Asian drawing rooms.

The only Japanese prime minister ever floored by womanizing was Sosuke Uno, who remained in office only two months in 1989 before being summarily booted out by parliamentary vote.

In that case his girl friend was roundly criticized for "breaking the code of the geisha" in even talking about the liaison. It was finally told that the lady went public not because of sex but because Uno was a cheapskate. He gave her only an inexpensive handbag to end the affair.

An executive of one of Japan's 10-million circulation vernacular newspapers approached me at the party marking the completion of renovation of Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan. About 300 guests of all nationalities were in attendance.

"Cosmopolitan" was the word that leapt to mind to describe the crowd.

The executive was wearing a grin that was anything but inscrutable:

"Ah, Neilan-san, so sorry for you. We Asians are so corrupt. Now America is becoming like us. You are coming down to our level."

I tried to change the subject, the oldest trick in the book: "Do you think Mark McGraw can stay ahead of Sammy Sosa in their home run competition?"

He would have none of it. "The U.S. will get through this. The voters will correct their mistake of electing Clinton. The American political process is a wonder to behold. At least this scandal, this Monica Lewinsky business, takes Washington's mind off Japan-bashing."

The same evening over at the Capital Tokyu Hotel, a think tank called Institute of International Policies Studies was celebrating its 10th anniversary. The institute was founded by former prime minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and its president now is Yoshio Okawara, former Japanese Ambassador to the United States.

One of Japan's pressing needs is for independent think tanks. Nakasone had the idea, when he founded IIPS, to make it like America's Hoover, Heritage, Brookings, American Enterprise, Cato and others. IIPS is a start but the concept needs work.

Most of the guests were Japanese politicians and industrialists, with strong connections to the dominant Liberal Democratic Party. Each of the LDP's nominal faction leaders was in the crowd of about 300.

"You are in a real dilemma in the U.S.," said a Japanese businessman. "Your elections are superb but getting someone un- elected through impeachment will be messy. The man in the White House doesn't have the class or honor to resign. But neither does he have the moral authority needed to provide the kind of leadership America and the world needs."

A few nights earlier, more than 500 turned out to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, held in the architecturally dramatic new Tokyo International Forum.

Prime Minister Keizo Ouchi and Ambassador to Japan Thomas Foley said a few official words but retelling of David Letterman and Jay Leno jokes at the expense of Clinton and Monica were the favored conversational buzz among attendees.

A Japanese lady journalist was holding forth. "The Clintons, by his actions and the mixed signals of Hillary's reactions, have destroyed the feminist movement in the United States. She said she wouldn't blindly Stand By Your Man as in the Tammy Wynette song, but now she is and for the wrong reasons. Is your whole country as corrupt and hypocritical as the so-called first couple ?"

Many overseas Americans are quietly suffering their embarrassment and humiliation these days. The U.S. will survive but let's just say it's no fun hearing U.S. institutions and leaders belittled and ridiculed.