「議会」に「派閥」、日本の政治を学んだ１年間

By Michael Jefferson, Oxford University

　首相官邸から出てきた私に、記者たちが駆け寄ってきた。彼らに一言「ノーコメント」。イギリスからの留学生に起こったうそのような本当の話です。

　When I deliver documents to the prime minister's residence, in the entrance hall, there are reporters who seem to wait there to observe the comings and goings.

　As I was walking back out, a reporter followed me and kept asking me questions like, "Where have you been?" "Who do you represent?" as if I was important! I just said "no comment" to everything and kept walking while thinking, "I am just a university student." What an amusing and extraordinary experience it was!

　I study Japanese at Oxford University, and as part of the course students are able to suspend their studies for one year to go to Japan. We call it a "Year Out." This period is not only for honing our Japanese language ability, but also for studying all aspects of Japan and its culture. It also provides an opportunity for students to research a topic for their dissertation that they must write in the final year of their degree.

　Although Oxford has links in Japan providing students with opportunities for their year abroad, some choose to organize the year by themselves. I decided to take this route and contacted Dr. Sohei Takatsuki of the Japan office of Eton College, where I graduated from.

　Although before I came to Japan I was a little worried about spending such a long time away from England, I realized as soon as I arrived that my worries were unfounded.

　Dr. Takatsuki had organized it so that I would work in his office three days a week and, since my specialist subject within my course is Japanese politics, to study at the parliamentary office of Hakubun Shimomura, a Lower House member, for two days a week.

　Shortly after I arrived, Mr. Shimomura was appointed deputy chief cabinet secretary by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and although he was incredibly busy with all the extra responsibilities he now had, he was more than happy to have me spend time in his parliamentary office.

　During my time in his office, I was able to do things that very few Japanese, let alone foreigners, ever get to do: I was able to watch sessions of the Diet, faction meetings - there is no faction in the U.K. by the way - as well as a number of committee meetings on a series of topics.

　I stood at the back or side of the room and observed. It was difficult to understand at first, but I got used to the format of the meetings and as my Japanese improved it became easier.

　Also, all the staff from Mr. Shimomura's office helped with any questions I had about Japanese politics and this often included vocabulary. I tried to look up everything I did not know to improve my Japanese and knowledge of Japanese politics.

　Through all these opportunities, I feel that my understanding of Japanese politics has greatly improved, and it will be immensely helpful for not only my dissertation on Japanese politics, but also in my exams next year.

　I am very interested in politics, partly due to this year, and I am very interested in becoming either a diplomat or a politician in England in the future.

　I am immensely grateful to all those who have been so kind to me during my time in Japan. They have made my time in Japan such a brilliant experience. I can't wait until I get an opportunity to return to Japan.

• prime...residence　首相官邸
• comings and goings　出入り
• honing　磨きをかける
• dissertation　論文
• Eton College　イートン・カレッジ（13歳〜18歳の生徒が通う全寮制の英国名門独立学校）
• unfounded　根拠のない
• parliamentary office　議員会館
• Hakubun...member　下村博文衆議院議員
• deputy...secretary　内閣官房副長官
• let alone　〜は言うまでもなく
• sessions...Diet　国会での審議　faction meetings 　派閥の会合
• immensely　計り知れないほど
• diplomat　外交官