Memoirs of a Lost Gaijin

As I was heading to the Lao Festival today by NHK Hall, I came across some right-wing Japanese protesters who referred to themselves or perhaps the demonstration as "Soyokaze (そよ風)". Visible in the photograph is a sign that reads "Gaikokujin hantai (外国人反対)" which basically means "against or no foreigners." Actually, they were protesting the possibility of foreigners who are permanent residents attaining suffrage in Japan.

Yet, ironically enough, one of them approached this foreigner and began speaking to me in broken English. He began by saying, "Foot and mouth disease." Or was it "Mad Cow Disease?" I wasn't sure. The rest of the conversation went something like this (Note that since he was making the effort to speak in English, I was very patient with him.).

Me: So what are you protesting?
Him: The Democratic Party of Japan.
Me: What about the Democratic Party are you protesting?
Him: Its policies.
Me: Which policies?
Him: Its policies towards communist countries like China and North Korea.
Me: What about them?

He then went on to explain about the Japanese nationals who were abducted by North Korea back in the 70's and 80's.

The conversation continued....
Me: So how would you like Japan to deal with North Korea and China?
Him: We want the US to attack North Korea.

With that, I thought it was best to excuse myself and head to the Lao festival.