Writing about Japanese politics from Nagatacho, the country¡¯s political center, grants you the privilege of observing and meeting a myriad of different people.

When lawmakers are back in town from their constituencies for parliament, a unique blend of humanity walks the corridors of power: bureaucrats in staid suits on their way to brief lawmakers, freshly-elected mayors on a pilgrimage to the mighty, former politicians on their way to redemption after a loss, secretaries carrying paper bags filled with presents. You name it.

The politicians themselves, too, can be quite a different crowd.