politics

56% oppose amending Constitution under Abe gov't: poll

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Abe is going to be hard pressed to put this issue up in front the both houses of the Diet and with the upcoming tax increase, people are going to get more ticked off if he continues to push it!

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Shin-chan will never give up on revising the constitution.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

here I was thinking government is supposed to represent the people........

8 ( +8 / -0 )

The conservative Asian mind-set of the Japanese translates into a taste for right-wing politics, but the shadow of defeat embodied in Article 9 is a reminder that last time the ordinary people went too far following their government over the cliff. The statistics show that the lesson has been learned despite the desperate attempts by the LDP to cajole the Japanese into unlearning their history.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

"56% opposed " = impossible to amend the constitution. The answer is very clear.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Japanese people have become chicken-hearted after losing a war only one time in their history. Dauntless samurai spirit challenging far bigger countries than them -  China, Russia and U.S. is gone somewhere.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

All we want is the REAL PEACE, not the Nobel Prize.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The conservative Asian mind-set of the Japanese translates into a taste for right-wing politics, but the shadow of defeat embodied in Article 9 is a reminder that last time the ordinary people went too far following their government over the cliff. The statistics show that the lesson has been learned despite the desperate attempts by the LDP to cajole the Japanese into unlearning their history.

is a reminder that the last time ordinary people?

I’m not so sure there were any “ordinary people” involved in the decision making of any of the imperialist powers, East or West, during that time.

As it was then, as it is today, the press/MSM holds the keys to public opinion. Just look at the survey sample and the subsequent “Headline”. It’s a friggen joke Kyodo and JT would post such propaganda.

The survey covering 736 randomly selected households with eligible voters as well as 1,263 mobile phone numbers obtained responses from 516 and 513 people, respectively.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

We are starting to see the first little cracks in Shinzo Abe's reign in a very long time and I bet he was convinced he had this one in the bag a long time ago.

I mean he can still pull it off but he has a very tough fight ahead of him and meanwhile hopefully the opposition can finally get their stuff together and deliver some real counterweight to his policies.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Fizz, I chose my words carefully:  last time the ordinary people went too far FOLLOWING their government over the cliff.

Everybody knows that it is the elites not the "ordinary people" who start wars, but without soldiers wars could not be fought. The people's resistance to militarism must be nurtured from an early age in the schools and the lesson of Article 9 ought to be an important part of peace education in Japan to make militaristic attitudes anathema.

Of course, you're right about fake numbers. Whatever the real statistics are, I just want to believe the majority of Japanese oppose opening the door to conscription and a snarling bushido redux.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Aso just said that with LDP winning majority of seats, that means the country supports tax raise.

This is a weakness or weirdness in Japan's democracy, people vote for the party without supporting their policies.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

This is a weakness or weirdness in Japan's democracy, people vote for the party without supporting their policies.

Yes and its a very unethical practice that's basically goes like this; ah you voted for me great that's all the justification I need to enforce policies I kept hidden from you until I got your vote...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Oh at LEAST 56% oppose changing the constitution. These polls are conducted very carefully to shine Abe in a positive light. Abe won because there is no other alternative in Japan. For him to claim a mandate on anything is lunacy.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

So much for the naysayers who continue to spout off that 'all' Japanese are ignorant, unthinking robots who beat the drums of war

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

So, where are your ‘flexible discussions’ Abe? Your idea of a flexible discussion is for you to stay steadfast while others give in to your pipe dream.

The poll found that 64.9 percent did not view the public pension system as sustainable, after estimates for required retirement savings in a recent financial panel report caused widespread concern

The pension system was seemed unsustainable over twenty years ago and all they did about it was to gamble the money on the stock market. Why is it just becoming a concern now. The pension system is a scam that offers no return on your investment. People only receive half of their investment back in piddly installments they call a pension after paying into it for 45 years if they live to be 80. It’s a scam! The average person is paying around 10 grand a year into this scam for 40+ years. You can do the math on that. They receive no interest or price indexing on their investment. You get your set pension payment until you are dead and any left over funds are recycled into the void. It’s like a pyramid scam.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

57%with me! Some extreme rightists or some others in Japan say Japanese people are "Heiwaboke". Huum, what they learn from the "Sensoboke" was wrong 'til the year of 1945? I feel more nationalism than patriotism in these few decades for those japanese "warboke"guys....I hope I am wrong.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I find the general Japanese attitude towards Article 9 a bit confusing. The Japanese people generally don't want to expand Japanese military power. Do they want to maintain the current conditions whereby they are essentially occupied by the American military?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The results of this poll are wildly inaccurate and should be ignored.

By way of example, let's look at Komeito, which is supported by only 4.6% of voters according to this poll.

On Sunday, they received 14% of the vote in Tokyo, 17% in Osaka and 13% in the nationwide constituency, just to name a few. They now have 28 seats (11.4%) in the upper house, three more than they had before the election.

Reiwa Shinsengumi and NHK Kara Kokumin Wo Mamoru To might be supported by 2.2 percent and 1.0 percent of survey respondents, but they each received double the support in the survey that actually mattered.

Is it a coincidence that the 51.5% of people that responded to this stupid survey is very close to the 51.2% of people who were too lazy to turn up to a voting booth on Sunday?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

And out of those 56%, how many didn't vote OR voted for Abe?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

All in favor of a peaceful Japan, but also in favor of a Japan which can defend its borders and people, especially with the neighbors it has.

Can Japan (or should Japan) place trust in the U.S. always being there to defend them?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

56% oppose amending Constitution under Abe gov't

Tough luck Shinzo.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Japanese need to seriously consider, how they will defend their country in years to come.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

If you’ve ever conducted surveys for anything in Japan you’ll know how much thought goes into the answers. You’ll then know that these phone polls are fairly meaningless.

Yes, I think we should change.

Actually, No.

Go on , Yes then.

Whats for dinner?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Haven't these people learned it doesn't matter what they want -- especially when they vote LDP at the polls? Abe will just say he has the mandate from the public based on the vote.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Maybe if the Iranians start grabbing Japanese oil tankers and the price of gasoline triples here these so-called "pacifists" will be screaming for the government to do something.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Maybe if the Iranians start grabbing Japanese oil tankers and the price of gasoline triples here these so-called "pacifists" will be screaming for the government to do something.

Except Iran didn't do that so your entire point is moot.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I find the general Japanese attitude towards Article 9 a bit confusing. The Japanese people generally don't want to expand Japanese military power. Do they want to maintain the current conditions whereby they are essentially occupied by the American military?

I think you've identified the contradiction in Japan's thinking. They are unwilling to allow expansion of Japanese military capability beyond coastal defense, yet at the same time they want U.S. umbrella protection but they don't want U.S. presence on their land. They can't have it both ways.

If only the Japanese people understand that modification of paragraph 2 to allow an expanded military capability does not nullify the entire Article 9 main purpose. An expanded military force will allow the JSDF to take over the responsibilities of defending the Pacific region and allow the U.S. to withdraw from mainland Japan and Okinawa. It does not mean Japan will become a warmongering aggressor with its newfound capability. The pacifism attitude is ingrained too deeply in the Japanese conscious to allow Japan to regress to its pre-World War II militaristic expansionism thinking.

But given China's aggressive expansionism and domination in the China Seas and its threat against Taiwan and potential threat to claim Senkaku and even Okinawa within the next 25 years, and the Russian threat near the Kuril Islands that will allow them access the Pacific Ocean ---- a combined China and Russia dominance in the region has the potential threat to cut off food, resources and energy supplies to Japan.....if they want to.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3617624

Japan can't afford to bury its head in the sand and ignore the potential future threats around them. It needs to change now and build up its military force to its fullest capability so it can take a more proactive role in defending the region with or without U.S. military presence. When China annexes Taiwan and moves toward the Senkaku Islands and Okinawa after the U.S. leaves the region, it will be too late for Japan to build up its military forces.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It does not mean Japan will become a warmongering aggressor with its newfound capability. The pacifism attitude is ingrained too deeply in the Japanese conscious to allow Japan to regress to its pre-World War II militaristic expansionism thinking.

Ha ha. says who? The warmongering aggressor is the foundation of Japanese society, its just that a lid has been put on it by the US presence here. What you think, suddenly they will become peace loving if the US left? your a fool if you think so. The old ways are right under the surface.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The thing is every independant country needs an army to defends itself and Japan would be best to have their own completely self-sustaining army eliminating the need for the US military bases in Japan.

It has been 70 years since they came to Japan time for the American government to leave the defense of Japan completely over to the Japanese military.

The warmongering aggressor is the foundation of Japanese society

In your flawed logic that would mean that warmongering is the foundation of every society in every country that ever went to war basically meaning almost the entire world.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Governments the world over will do what the hell they want and ignore those they supposedly represent. It's a sham !

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The title says it clearly.

The Japanese refuse to change Article 9, With Abe in the post of Prime Minister.

But if the Prime Minister were someone else who has no connection to Abe. With a non-ultranationalist dialogue profile with a sincere character.

The answer might be different.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

56%? Yeah, right... Not a true number. More like 5%. And the ones who oppose are pretty much do-sho-mo-nai. They can clearly defend themseleves now if they had to. Anything else is gearing up for an offensive war and its amazing anime brainwashed fools cannot see it.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Of course the majority of Japanese opposing deletion of Article 9 doesn't matter in a single party state like Japan.

Whatever the leader wills, it shall be done.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The warmongering aggressor is the foundation of Japanese society, its just that a lid has been put on it by the US presence here. What you think, suddenly they will become peace loving if the US left? your a fool if you think so. The old ways are right under the surface.

I disagree.

It seems to me you are fusioning Japan as a governments/daimyos/... and Japan as its random people. I know this mess up is perpetuated from the government in order to follow its agenda but Japanese are mostly not warmongering aggressor. As any people around the world they can get manipulated but most of them tend to get the stance of wanting to follow peace.

Unfortunately, history studies are lacking in helping them really get the reality of war. But they tend to stick to the idea of not wanting it.

Warmongering aggressor are just a few. Even in the government, there is most likely more prideful uncultured rooster than warmongering aggressor.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If Japan amends the constitution Japan will no longer be able to play victim, on which the success of post war Japan is based.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@TheLongTermer

The warmongering aggressor is the foundation of Japanese society, its just that a lid has been put on it by the US presence here*

How do you explain the 250 years of peace and non-agression during the Edo period before the US kicked in Japan's door and threatened it?

Remind me how old the USA and how many "years of peace" it has enjoyed without causing a war and killing while meddling in some developing nation or another? The latter is zero, isn't it?

You really need to read up some history.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

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