Diet delinquents

“From my seat, I can see you checking mail on your cell phones. It looks bad when shown on TV.”
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, giving young lawmakers a pep talk, telling them to give up talking on their cell phones and reading comic magazines in the Diet.

The expression old habits die hard certainly seems to ring true with Japanese lawmakers. It would appear that what’s good for the high school classroom, is equally good enough for the Diet. However rumours of young members passing around love letters, chewing gum, and talking back to the Prime Minister have yet to be confirmed.