The impeachment fiasco has also profoundly altered the relationship between the presidency and the Congress. To address these paramount political changes, a timely international seminar was held in Tokyo by the Tokyo Foundation on February 16th. The topic was addressed by Mr. David Funderburk, former Republican congressman (104th Congress, 1995-96) and ambassador to Rumania under the Reagan Administration. A spirited discussion evolved on the differences between the Republican Party's concept of smaller government and the idea of smaller government being considered by scholars, politicians and others in Japan. It was led by Dr. Heizo Takenaka, member of the Economic Strategy Council (an advisory body to the Obuchi Administration), which had just submitted a policy proposal to the Prime Minister in which it recommended "smaller government" and offered a positive re-appraisal of related Reaganomics policies.
