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Shinzo Abe leaves divided legacy

16 Comments
By FOSTER KLUG and MARI YAMAGUCHI

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16 Comments
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At the same time, he revitalized Japan’s economy, 

BULL

-6 ( +12 / -18 )

“He wanted Japan to be respected on the global stage in the way that he felt was deserved..."

Japanese people are welcomed in more countries with open arms than ANY other national polity. THAT is the kind of RESPECT which PEACE and mutual respect has given the Japanese People. But some would prefer that 'respect' is had at the point of a gun because they can not understand any other kind of respect but that bred in FEAR. Mr Abe seems to have been in this category of mentality and, of course, lauded by the U.S. CorporoGovernment.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

I detested his historical revisionism and nationalistic tendencies, but his economic policies were radical and right for the time. People have short memories, but Japan had been stagnating since the early 90s before Abe came to power, mired in deflation and recession.

The stimulus policies provided a boost. In fact, they were emulated to various degrees by the US and other major economies later, after those countries' disastrous experience with austerity.

What held back the potential of Abenomics were the hikes in the consumption tax and employers' unwillingness to radically revamp THEIR systems and invest or share the record-high profits that Abenomics delivered them.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

"He also was a driving force for Japanese conservatives’ efforts to whitewash wartime atrocities and push for an end of apologies over atrocities."

Whenever I read anything by Mari Yamaguchi, I know what the spin is going to be. This is another example of misrepresentation. No one should give approval to "whitewashing" the horrors of militarism, but there have been distortions in the historical account. The mythologizing of Japan's misdeeds is the real issue.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Cue the western socialists who will insist Abe was a "divisive threat to democracy" etc. despite being one of the most popular PMs in modern Japanese history.

He was a bulwark against China, cancerous socialism, and a great friend to democratic countries everywhere.

Let his assassination serve as a reminder for the LDP what they are up against. Stay the course, Japan.

At the same time, he revitalized Japan’s economy, 

BULL

Comprehensive and scintillating breakdown of why he didn't.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

He was a bulwark against China, cancerous socialism, and a great friend to democratic countries everywhere.

If you mean a great friend of socialism for the rich, socialism for corporations you would be much closer to the truth.

The revisionist hagiography of Abe has been in full effect.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

He was a bulwark against China, cancerous socialism, and a great friend to democratic countries everywhere.

see dagon's comment

Comprehensive and scintillating breakdown of why he didn't.

see blue's comment

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

He referred to his wife as something like "fellow soldier in war", so, not that there is anything wrong with that, but just saying...

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

I'm a little confused here, so just humour me.

What is the obvious takeaway from Abe referring to his wife as his "fellow soldier in war"?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

masterToday  10:18 pm JST

I'm a little confused here, so just humour me. 

What is the obvious takeaway from Abe referring to his wife as his "fellow soldier in war"?

Instead of saying "my wife", "my sweetheart", "my honey bunny" he uses a phrase you would use for a buddy.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

masterToday  10:18 pm JST

I'm a little confused here, so just humour me. 

What is the obvious takeaway from Abe referring to his wife as his "fellow soldier in war"?

戦友

Maybe comrade is more direct translation, word for word though.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I see nothing wrong with that at all. Hell, its damned romantic if you ask me.

Its his way of saying he and his wife share the same strong values and goals.

Are you not married? Isn't that the exact type of partner you'd want?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I'm a little confused here, so just humour me. 

Obviously you are

What is the obvious takeaway from Abe referring to his wife as his "fellow soldier in war"?

Maybe it’s because neither of them are soldiers and neither of them are at war?

Duh

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Specially coming from someone who’s never done military duty.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I see nothing wrong with that at all. Hell, its damned romantic if you ask me.

It seems a little weird to me, but I've also talked about fighting the battle of life together with my wife often, and Japanese - English translations often sound weird in English. I can relate to what he said.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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