politics

Abe's next term: A chance for constitutional change?

14 Comments
By Mari Yamaguchi

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

14 Comments
Login to comment

Hopefully Abe will be more successful in his next term. In Japan, it seems to take a long, long time to build political consensus to make changes, especially matters of constitutional changes.

If Japan is not willing to modify the Constitution to allow Japan to expand its military forces and take a more active role in protecting Japan and territorial region, then it will need to continue relying on U.S. and U.S. bases on mainland Japan and Okinawa for security.

Here is an opportunity to send a message to the U.S. that we (Japan) are willing to take a military leadership role and U.S. can withdraw and relocate its bases out of Japan and Okinawa.

By opposing the Constitution change, the Japanese people are indirectly sending a message that they need U.S. protection and want the U.S. military forces to remain on Japan mainland and Okinawa.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Any other top-leader could do what he did NEARLY 6 YEARS IN OFFICE/WHAT'S NEXT/WHAT HE HAS DONE is something not special, more of national bonds and less taxation for all the companies issues employees wages still the same from 10 years ago and bureaucratics spending luxury from taxpayers or ilegally getting tips from clients. The only thing he still there is for the next CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE, all of his supporters and crones all looking forward to realize "dream come true" for them and nightmare starts for us citizens. The details will come soon, attention please!! And OTHER ISSUES won't be resolved he isn't able to table talk peacefully with North Korea nor Russia.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Premium Friday didn't have a good start which is a pity and to make matters worse, is the campaign still active?

You betcha. I saw a coworker fall asleep on his keyboard wearing an atrocious floral shirt at around 3pm on one premium Friday. He was refreshed enough to hit the happy hour a few hours later.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Mahesvara-of-JapanToday 08:45 am JST

Abenomics is very successful.

I would ask if you had any substantial evidence to back up that claim other than the standard "soaring corporate profits... record low unemployment..." but I think I know the answer already.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It was never supposed to be successful. It was intentionally a limp attempt at looking like the LDP is all 'for the people'. The LDP panders toward big business (their cronies), and it makes sense, to them, to keep the people enslaved and underpaid. The most disturbing part is that the average Japanese Taro is so docile and uninformed (probably because he is too busy to be otherwise) that he actually endorses the LDP. What a strange and sickening paradox we live in.

You said it.

Japan is creating, again, a really ugly (endorsed by the people) future for itself... I hope they are properly liberated next time.

Screw that. I'm not waiting around. My wife and I want to spirit our kids to Canada within the next 2 years! Enough is enough. Japan has no future. None whatsoever.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Abandoning peace means embracing for war, as simple as that.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Constitutional change is not people's agenda, it is LDP's agenda, it is Abe's boss agenda.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Mahesvara-of-Japan, 2012 Japan's GDP is about 6 trillions$, now it only 5 trillions$. You call that a success ? Japan lost 5 trillions$ under Abe's 5 years ruling, you call that a success ? Do you know that 6 is larger than 5 ? Most Japanese don't know, to be honest.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Premium Friday didn't have a good start...

It was never supposed to be successful. It was intentionally a limp attempt at looking like the LDP is all 'for the people'. The LDP panders toward big business (their cronies), and it makes sense, to them, to keep the people enslaved and underpaid. The most disturbing part is that the average Japanese Taro is so docile and uninformed (probably because he is too busy to be otherwise) that he actually endorses the LDP. What a strange and sickening paradox we live in.

Japan is creating, again, a really ugly (endorsed by the people) future for itself... I hope they are properly liberated next time.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Abenomics is very successful. Premium Friday didn't have a good start which is a pity and to make matters worse, is the campaign still active? Before working on a strong military to defend enemy invasion, it would be great if the Japanese government would work towards reducing the income differences between male workers and female workers. I wish the Japanese economy and social security will obtain great success!

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Take it to the voters, the perhaps 40% that turn out to vote will caboched this absolutely stupid idea. Disfuncianal systems should not be allowed to change core principles.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Abe has managed to increase the country’s debt.

So, fiscal management is not really his strong point.....

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Abe takes credit for an "Abenomics" program that has employed a super-easy monetary policy to lift Japan's economy from years of deflation and boost job and stock indicators. Critics say the effects are gradually wearing off and benefits have not trickled down to consumers. He has pushed for a greater international role for Japan's military by reinterpreting the war-renouncing constitution to allow troops to defend allies under foreign attack. While maintaining a close alliance with the United States, he has bolstered military cooperation and weapons development with Britain, Australia, France, India and some Asian countries in response to China's military activity in the region and North Korea's nuclear and missile threat.

If this is all I "accomplished" in 6 years at my job, I'd be unemployed!

10 ( +11 / -1 )

The majority of Japanese are against this change. Leaders are supposed to represent the people...

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites