As you may have seen in the news, the 4th Japanese prime minister in as many years stepped down earlier this week.  Not an agreeable post, it seems.  All I previously knew of the prime minister was that he was roundly criticized for wearing a brightly colored shirt at a barbecue he was hosting at his home last month, that was pretty big news. 

The day before his announcement, we had to wade through hundreds of police to get home to our apartment, and vans blaring political messages paraded up and down our street.  There must have been some high-up politicians staying at the Prince Hotel, which is the building dominating the view from our balcony.   Soon to be shut down for financial reasons, which makes me sad because I enjoy seeing all the lights on in the evening and can't imagine it as a dark silent behemoth.

I have no idea what the police are holding or how in the world they would use those microphone/baton/walking stick things.  Any ideas?