Back during the debates, I was so impressed that my competitor, Taro Aso, gave a 10 -minute speech in English to the Foreign Press Club. I should be able to speak English just as well as Taro - I lived in the states for 2 years in the ’60s. Funny enough, I don’t remember it at all.

All that time in America and not a single English word recalled. What a waste! I’ve got my translator Myron here, and I know he duly writes everything I say without straying from my words, but I find my lack of English skills debilitating. Well, I decided to do something about it. I’ve started taking lessons at the most widely known and trusted English school in Japan: Nova!

Photo by Mshades via Flickr

I had my first lesson last week. My classmates were two younger girls (one in her mid 20s and one in her late 30s) and the teacher was Trent. I get the feeling that Trent has slept with both of the girls. Anyway, I didn’t learn much since it was only my first week, but Trent did teach us one phrase: “I hate my fucking job.” (Translator’s note: Hot damn, that’s the first English I’ve ever heard Fukuda use - and he said it flawlessly.) Judging from Trent’s usage, it seems to be used when you first meet someone, when you begin class, when someone around you farts, when you are about to eat something, before you go to the toilet, when you come back, when class is finished, and when you say goodbye. Myron, my trusty translator, just confirmed all of these usages.

So on that note:

I hate my fucking job.