JAPAN . . . SEND IN THE CLOWNS

At a time when Japan is recovering froman epic earthquakeandnerve gas attacks by terrorists, voters have decided that comedians are best suited to run the government -- or at least two major cities. In elections Sunday, Tokyo voters elected as their governor Yukio Aoshima, who donned a kimono and wig to portray "Nasty Grandma" in a popular 1960s TV show. In Osaka, comic "Knock" Yokoyama won the honor. Though both are longtime members of Paliament's upper house, they were able to capitalize on voter anger with politics-as-usual to beat major party candidates.