politics

Abe cabinet support rate at 42% amid cherry-blossom viewing event criticism

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Obama's approval rating was similar for much of his presidency. Trump's average monthly approval rating to date is 40%.

Rating Abe is something for citizens of Japan just as rating Trump is something for citizens of the US.

I personally do not like Abe and I do not vote LDP but compared to the domestic alternatives or what the US has, he is not that bad.

As a Japanese voter, I appreciate that a major scandal involves the guest list for a garden party rather than making up bogus claims to invade this or that country.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

showchinmonoToday  03:17 pm JST

The LDP is not just Abe. at least you should have clear confrontation in terms of actual policies, or you cannot flip current approval ratings favor for the LDP.

So, what are those manifest policy feasible and challenging others are advocating now?

Irrelevant. Weak opposition is never an excuse for tolerating corruption and incompetence.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

That's not a credible defense of the LDP or its record. It's just deflection.

Absolutely and more deflection from the real topic at hand:

amid criticism he used taxpayers' money to entertain supporters at a cherry-blossom viewing event, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday.

Abe has been accused of using the event for personal gain by entertaining hundreds of his supporters.

Using tax payers' money to fund his campaign by inviting his supporters is pure corruption- regardless of which side of the political fence you sit on.

As a long-standing practice, a prime minister and some within the cabinet can make recommendations before the government draws up the guest list for the ruling party. The event is intended to honor people such as athletes and celebrities for their accomplishments.

Not the PM's personal supporters. This is clearly an abuse of power.

That's the real story here.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The LDP is not just Abe. at least you should have clear confrontation in terms of actual policies, or you cannot flip current approval ratings favor for the LDP.

So, what are those manifest policy feasible and challenging others are advocating now?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

showchinmonoToday  02:19 pm JST

Heck. You first show us what exactly NON-LDP accomplished so far during their terms.

That's not a credible defense of the LDP or its record. It's just deflection.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So you don't deny that the LDP hasn't accomplished a whole lot for quite a long time. Maybe you should suggest something like that as the party's new slogan: "ineffectual and corrupt, but not as bad as socialists (although we're socialists to good old boys who give us votes and cash in brown envelopes)."

Heck. You first show us what exactly NON-LDP accomplished so far during their terms.

Or at least, whose manifest policy would look FEASIBLE and worth challenging.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I personally don't care if a country runs under socialism or capitalism, as long as there are competent people with scruples in charge.

Agree, although personally, given the choice, I'd prefer a gov with more socialist leaning tendencies..

However the motto of sleazy crooks like Abe could just as well be "all for one and each man for himself" and the LDP seem more interested in running a big scam that keeps them in power than actually doing the country any good.

Absolutely. And the utter indifference they seem to have for what they are doing to the nation is absolutely disgusting.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Aly RustomToday  12:50 pm JST

"ineffectual and corrupt, but not as bad as socialists (although we're socialists to good old boys who give us votes and cash in brown envelopes)."

exactly!

I personally don't care if a country runs under socialism or capitalism, as long as there are competent people with scruples in charge. However the motto of sleazy crooks like Abe could just as well be "all for one and each man for himself" and the LDP seem more interested in running a big scam that keeps them in power than actually doing the country any good.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"ineffectual and corrupt, but not as bad as socialists (although we're socialists to good old boys who give us votes and cash in brown envelopes)."

exactly!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

showchinmonoToday  12:13 pm JST

You know Simon. People might willingly endure some declines and stagnation rather than choosing communism/socialism you seem to be pushing.

So you don't deny that the LDP hasn't accomplished a whole lot for quite a long time. Maybe you should suggest something like that as the party's new slogan: "ineffectual and corrupt, but not as bad as socialists (although we're socialists to good old boys who give us votes and cash in brown envelopes)."

0 ( +1 / -1 )

No more recent achievements to speak of? I don't suppose you would care to mention the past few decades of decline and stagnation. The LDP has long since outlived its usefulness.

You know Simon. People might willingly endure some declines and stagnation rather than choosing communism/socialism you seem to be pushing. Not enough seeing the fact that Japan is being called the world most successful socialist economy after all.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

That's right. They were really useless and that's why they all left LDP who then all went politically dead.

You could say the same thing about the LDP.

Huh? Since the burnt fields, small island country with no natural resource, Japan recovered up to no 2~3 of world economy under which party? Remember?

I do remember. It recovered under the west.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

showchinmonoToday  09:03 am JST

Huh? Since the burnt fields, small island country with no natural resource, Japan recovered up to no 2~3 of world economy under which party? Remember?

No more recent achievements to speak of? I don't suppose you would care to mention the past few decades of decline and stagnation. The LDP has long since outlived its usefulness.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Aly RustomToday  08:29 am JST

Yeah Yeah those major figures in the opposition parties are also EX-LDP, like Hosokawa, Hada, Hatoyama, Okada, Ozawa, Kamei......

That must be why they've all been so useless.

Good point Simon!

That's right. They were really useless and that's why they all left LDP who then all went politically dead.

Aly RustomToday  08:28 am JST

FYI, those people that led Japan into and through WW2 are already all dead.

but their legacy lives on

Huh? Since the burnt fields, small island country with no natural resource, Japan recovered up to no 2~3 of world economy under which party? Remember?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Yeah Yeah those major figures in the opposition parties are also EX-LDP, like Hosokawa, Hada, Hatoyama, Okada, Ozawa, Kamei......

That must be why they've all been so useless.

Good point Simon!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

FYI, those people that led Japan into and through WW2 are already all dead.

but their legacy lives on

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What is the approval rate in opposition parties?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Draining the swamp? What country has been able to "drain the swamp"? The U.S. which is more capable of doing so than Japan, has failed to do so.

I was being sarcastic. Nice to see the old Thatcher style "there is no alternative" arguement, haven't seen that for a while.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Look , looking at who was invited, I am surprised that it is still this good.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

While there are many disagreements about the use of public money by the government... some by tradition, some by necessity, some for political reasons and more often than not for totally unappreciated reasons, their activities cannot satisfy every individual values and ideals. One cannot really understand and appreciate the value of any activity or event until they actually physically participate in them.

These public opinion polls often do not give us enough perspectives and the actual questions asked to give us an opportunity to evaluate for ourselves. It may not be a waste of money and time for some that do attend and participate. Much of this is "opinion" and "conjecture" poll which can be very misleading.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

showchinmonoToday  04:53 pm JST

Yeah Yeah those major figures in the opposition parties are also EX-LDP, like Hosokawa, Hada, Hatoyama, Okada, Ozawa, Kamei......

That must be why they've all been so useless.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Bunch of those whining " Damn I just don't like it but I don'y know what I like instead"

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Don’t forget that the LDP was created by the same people that led Japan into and through WWII.

And look how well that worked out. Now after 70+ years they (the offspring) have manage to lead a country to disaster without a war.! They talk about the bubble but actually did nothing to make it just bame everyone else for popping it.*

exactly!

Yeah Yeah those major figures in the opposition parties are also EX-LDP, like Hosokawa, Hada, Hatoyama, Okada, Ozawa, Kamei...... FYI, those people that led Japan into and through WW2 are already all dead.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Don’t forget that the LDP was created by the same people that led Japan into and through WWII.

> And look how well that worked out. Now after 70+ years they (the offspring) have manage to lead a country to disaster without a war.! They talk about the bubble but actually did nothing to make it just bame everyone else for popping it.

exactly!

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Don’t forget that the LDP was created by the same people that led Japan into and through WWII.

And look how well that worked out. Now after 70+ years they (the offspring) have manage to lead a country to disaster without a war.! They talk about the bubble but actually did nothing to make it just bame everyone else for popping it.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Do you want me to give you the list of disasters that the LDP has brought to Japan for the last 70 years it has been ruling Japan?

Don’t forget that the LDP was created by the same people that led Japan into and through WWII.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

It can’t go up all the time.

It always seems to head in a positive direction whenever there’s an election on the horizon.

It’s just one of the tools strategically used to manipulate the electorate.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Whomever says crime doesn't pay was not talking about white-collar crime and the Abe administration is end the argument that it does. The same could be said for most all of the politicians in office. I don't see any regular public in the picture just the privileged.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Abe cares not a jot about the ordinary citizens of Japan.

He has his own selfish agenda that in no shape of form benefits the mere mortals of Japan.

The term ‘collateral damage’ is so apt for Abe’s policies whether putting people on the breadline or on the frontline.He doesn’t care in the slightest just as long as he can try to make modern Japan much more like imperial Japan.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

kurisupisuToday  09:46 am JST

Japan is such a strange country where the poor folk can be imprisoned for stealing a ball of rice yet politicians continue their graft having stolen millions and millions of yen....

Very well stated.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

How can Kyodo get away with this misinformation?

It's not because the truth makes you uncomfortable that it is misinformation.  Engaging Japan in a foreign conflict would violate the country's war-renouncing Constitution, that's a fact. Why is that misinformation?

SDF will NOT engage any war.

We are talking about armed conflicts here, how is that not war? Or maybe you should first make sure that you understand what the word war means.

And I note that you are not reacting to the main point of the article, which is Abe being involved again in another corruption scandal. So why don't you give us please some vacation from your hypocrisy?

14 ( +14 / -0 )

The one time the JDP took power everything was a total disaster. Japan can no longer afford to have a "revolving door" leadership.

BS. Do you want me to give you the list of disasters that the LDP has brought to Japan for the last 70 years it has been ruling Japan? Have you heard about the Japan's bubble burst, the lost decades, Minamata disease, Fukushima? Says something to you, or are you amnesiac?

But Japan has no other potential leader, no other potential party that gives any hope for stable leadship. 

Could you name one thing, just one thing that Abe has achieved since he has been prime minister? Abenomics? The world is still laughing about it.

This idea that Japan can't have good leaders outside of the LDP is an idea well entrenched in the apathetic head of people here, forged by decades of propaganda in every levels of Japan's society from education to media. This oligarchy (which has often links to the mafia) has put in place a very effective system to make the population believe what they want them to believe in order to influence and orient so called elections. A masquerade of democracy.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

The self called ruling elite have absolutely no idea what it's like to actually work for a wage rather then being given a lions share of (Tax) workers wages for free. .And wanting more?

Politicians should be paid the average wage and held accountable as the masses are, want a pay rise...raise the average wage. Want a party? You pay for it out of your pocket not mine.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Japan is such a strange country where the poor folk can be imprisoned for stealing a ball of rice yet politicians continue their graft having stolen millions and millions of yen....

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Compared to Moritomo Gakuen, this is small beans. I would have thought high-ranking government figures have jollies at taxpayer expense all the time. People should focus on the bigger issues.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Abe is a typical politician. Which means there is always alot of dirt to dig up. But Japan has no other potential leader, no other potential party that gives any hope for stable leadship. The one time the JDP took power everything was a total disaster. Japan can no longer afford to have a "revolving door" leadership.

Draining the swamp? What country has been able to "drain the swamp"? The U.S. which is more capable of doing so than Japan, has failed to do so.

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

The 42% approval rate merely reflects the apathy, ignorance or indifference of the electorate.

With all the years of scandal, lies and abuse of power the rate should be much lower.

And it also shows the electorates unwillingness to see the larger picture and constantly vote for the local OB who has feathered their nests and to hell with other fledglings.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

A Cherry Blossom event is small cakes in the world of politics

So wasting tax payers hard earned cash for personal gain is cool in your book?

When are the Japanese people going to wake up and drain the swamp?

When pigs learn how to fly planes and drive cars.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Yawn... Call me when something serious happens. A Cherry Blossom event is small cakes in the world of politics.

-13 ( +2 / -15 )

amid criticism he used taxpayers' money to entertain supporters at a cherry-blossom viewing event

No mention that yakuza gangsters were among those invited or that Abe's wife, the unelected Akie, was also selecting who could make merry at the taxpayer's expense?

Japanese politicians who use events like these for personal gain, are typically hammered for breaking the election laws. Abe should face the same as well. Just because he is PM should not give him a pass

Abe is using his office for personal financial gain. When are the Japanese people going to wake up and drain the swamp?

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Abe, the scandal that keeps on delivering! LOL!

7 ( +10 / -3 )

It's a storm in a teacup...

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

this survey does not represent anything.

this approval is fake and part of the propaganda.

make a national scale vote, then we can start talking.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Abe’s approval rating will fall even further as negative effects of consumption tax hike will come into the full swing in the next few months. My bet is that he’s not seeking a fourth term so he can let his successor take responsibility for his tax hike disaster.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Sending SDF overseas to protect Japanese shipping, trade and Japanese lives, is NOT violating the Constitution. SDF will NOT engage any war. How can Kyodo get away with this misinformation?

It’s not misinformation.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

Time for the abductees in North Korea to make the headlines again to 'refocus' the public.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

As a long-standing practice, a prime minister and some within the cabinet can make recommendations before the government draws up the guest list for the ruling party. The event is intended to honor people such as athletes and celebrities for their accomplishments.

It's things like this that people need to focus on, and question Abe on the details.

"The government" draws up the guest list. Alright, just WHO is ultimately responsible? Who makes the final call on who gets invited and who does not?

Japanese politicians who use events like these for personal gain, are typically hammered for breaking the election laws. Abe should face the same as well. Just because he is PM should not give him a pass!

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Sending SDF personnel overseas is a sensitive issue in Japan, given that engagement in a foreign conflict would violate the country's war-renouncing Constitution.

Sending SDF overseas to protect Japanese shipping, trade and Japanese lives, is NOT violating the Constitution. SDF will NOT engage any war. How can Kyodo get away with this misinformation?

By the way, what is the approval rate for the opposition parties? lol!

-22 ( +4 / -26 )

Why didn't the poll ask about plans to rewrite the Japanese constitution since that is this government's main stated objective.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Still over 40%, not even close enough to start people thinking that change is coming.

Folks are too satisfied with the way things are, even when they dont like what HE is doing, their lives are not affect so they dont care!

7 ( +12 / -5 )

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