Abe support rate falls; 69% want Okinawa vote on base issue respected

Abe only respects business and lining his pockets, he is a puppet to big business and does not care for people.

When will this regime end??

The Okinawans are right. It is their island and Abe must respect the facts.

Uh-oh. If his support is falling that means it's time for him to hold a photo op with the Yokota's again, telling them he vows to end the abduction issue. He seems to think that will always shore up points.

As for the scandal on faulty labor ministry jobs data, which surfaced in January, 70.7 percent of respondents were not satisfied with the outcome of the latest government probe into the issue, which denied there was a systematic coverup. About 13 percent responded otherwise.

The scandal involving sampling irregularities led to the underpayment of work-related benefits to more than 20 million people and cast doubt over the accuracy of government statistics.

And still no word from the government on how they are going to contact and cover the underpayment to these 20 million people, even after they have allocated the funds to do so in the current budget!

I have a vested interest in this as during the time period in question I received unemployment and I wonder just how much I was underpaid!

Also not being covered here in Japan is the concerns that overseas investors have regarding any and all government statics that are coming out. Investors fear that other data has been played with all along as well and the the state of the economy here is much worse than what is being reported by the government statistically.

Right about now, Shinzo is just praying that L'il Kim will fire off another rocket, so he can act like the tough guy that he thinks he is. He will state that only he can keep and protect Japan, so the sheeple must vote for him. Then next poll we will see that Abe's cabinet has a high approval rating again.

By the way, I have no idea who the hell is in Abe's cabinet anymore, other than Aso. They have changed so often and have been so incompetent.

Also, I like how the Hasuike's story was completely buried by the Carlos Ghosn news. Very timely for Shinzo.

Doesn't matter what the polling is, I hate to say it.

There is no meaningful opposition to the LDP right now. And so far, Abe has weathered the scandals that have come and gone.

So, can't see anything changing, including the central government's Okinawa policy.

hiragino4410Today  07:47 am JST

While I hate Abe no way am i going to vote for the oppotition which is even more incompetent than LDP.

Then LDP candidates will keep winning, they will keep re-electing Shinzo Abe as their party president and we'll be perpetually stuck with a prime minister you hate. Anyway, what exactly is it that makes the opposition incompetent? I'm not disagreeing necessarily, but could you elaborate?

RE: Okinawa. If the US is booted from Okinawa, Japan might have to kiss its safety goodbye. Asia still lives in the 20th century and the occupation is nowhere near forgotten by the Korea's and China.

Always with the fearmongering. There is no justification for US bases here. Happens so often in history, the occupying/colonial power support claims that the economy will fail/we're only here to protect you/you can't be trusted going it alone etc.

hiragino4410Today  10:03 am JST

"I'm not disagreeing necessarily, but could you elaborate?"

obsession with economic austerity,

For example? Economic austerity still sounds better to me than skyrocketing deficits to pay for kickbacks to LDP supporters.

opposing anything for the sake of opposing,

That is kind of how the LDP won in 2012. Even Abe admitted people weren't so much voting for the LDP as voting against the DPJ government.

never-ending party name change and merger,

The CDPJ under Yukio Edano have resisted mergers with other parties they don't share views with. The Communists maybe should change their name.

multiple candidates vs one LDP man in one election area,

In the constituency where I live there was only one other candidate, from Kibo No To - pseudo-LDP, basically. However it is a problem that there is no other single party that can field as many candidates as the LDP.

the list goes on

Does it? That seems to be all the usual stuff the opposition get criticised for.

Abe will do as his master in Washington tells him. The location of US basis will be where the occupying nation (the US) want it. When will Japan demand sovereignty?

cracaphat

I'm tired of seeing the monthly headline of Abe's falling support rate.Means NOTHING in Japan.

exactly! Japan is a 1 party dicatorship

dougthehead13Today  04:15 am JST

Abe and LDP is the best Japan can have under the current circumstances. It is the most sensible option in practical terms both political and economic.

After 6 years of the Abe administration the country is hardly any better off than it was before.

It's no use winning by spreading lies you can't keep. As it happened between 2009 and 2011.*

Not to mention right now. There's been no sign of that third arrow.

And I assure you that defeating Abe and the LDP is possible. All you have to do is govern with the truth.*

You have to actually win an election before you can govern. I can only see a single, strong opposition party managing to do that, although practical policies than can actually be implemented would be a big help.

Although some measures are very uncomfortable for the public, but at the same time reasonable. Provided that the basic principle of reaching agreements at a negotiating table in order to establish basic consensus is applied. Which is precisely the basic principle of a liberal Western democracy.

When is that principle ever applied? Do you think the LDP would bother trying to reach consensus with the government if it were in opposition again?

The governor of Tokyo Koikie is the example that a politician in Japan has to follow. She does not belong to the LDP and governs on the basis of consensus with other parties that do not belong to the central government. He defeated Abe and the LDP. Making history by proving that you can win. Too bad PDCJ don't share Koike's thoughts. Nor does it have a leader like her.

Because if it was. The opposition would triumph in Japan.

Yet Kibo No To did not exactly triumph in the 2017 Lower House election, did it, partly due to Koike refusing to let left-leaning Democratic Party members join her new party.

IOW, few of his ideas are popular; in fact, most run against majority opinion. According to polling, people aren't happy about the influx of foreign labor, casinos, the failure to address childcare shortages, his assorted scandals, or constitutional revision either. But the idea of voting for any other party--no way!

If you don't like Abe, don't vote for LDP. If you vote for LDP, you're inevitably securing Abe another term as prime minister. That guy won't back down in 2021 just because some party-regulations tells him to.

If you're unsatisfied with the turn Japan has taken economically and politically in the last seven years, don't vote for LDP, you'll be voting for Abe if you do so. Even if you like the party's program, it won't work with Abe in power!

Kenji Fujimori ( 10:51 am JST)

Do Okinawans want Chinese to invade? Pure and simple

Probably, you want to say unless Futenma's replacement were built in Henoko, Chinese contingent would invade Okinawa in no time.

But I think the plan to relocate Futenma to Henoko has nothing to do with deterrence or the U.S.’s war strategy, as attested by Lawrence Wilkerson, a retired U.S. Army colonel, who served as a member of the Overseas Base Realignment and Closure Coalition and also as chief of staff to former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell (See his interview given to The Ryukyu Shimpo on Dec. 23), in which he said there’s no strategic reason except a financial one why U.S. Marine bases must be maintained in Japan or, more specifically, Okinawa. 

Wilkerson added the cost of maintaining bases and personnel were 50 to 60 percent cheaper in Okinawa than in California thanks to the Japanese government’s generous financial support, so that while some 30 bases in California, etc. have been closed down since 1991, those in Okinawa have been kept open and even strengthened. 

How do you think about it?

Okinawa is a sovereign, independent country, based on history and international laws.

Thats odd because Japan seems to be running the “country” as if they are the ones in charge. The fact is the Ryukyu Kingdom is history.

Irrelevant. Abe never was elected by majority people. As long as the master is happy with Abe, he has job security.

A decline of 2% from a stats point is pointless, because its within the margin of error. In other words, there has been no change in Abe's poll numbers.

X fractional infighting.

O factional infighting.

The survey covered 740 randomly selected households with eligible voters as well as 1,218 mobile phone numbers, obtaining responses from 516 and 513 people, respectively.

740 random households, from what part of the country? Let me guess, Tokyo!

And the second part makes no sense to me whatsoever, 1,218 cell phones, ok fine, that is actually more "random”as the numbers typically are not connected to any part of the country, yet what the hell does 516 and 513 refer to?

That only two people made all those calls? Is it 516 males and 513 females? What? Scratching my head here!

alwaysspeakingwisdom, that is why most govts are double talk govt, or liar's govt.

I'm not disagreeing necessarily, but could you elaborate?

obsession with economic austerity, opposing anything for the sake of opposing, never-ending party name change and merger, multiple candidates vs one LDP man in one election area, the list goes on

The important thing here is that Okinawa had the vote, and the vote was in favor of moving the base. Abe, is saying the vote doesn't matter and that the government will do what it wants to do anyway. This override by the government sets a dangerous precedent and will weaken his chances of being elected again.

Okinawa believes its economy will thrive without the US bases. Also, they are using the AEON mall as an example of how well their economy can do if they have all of their lands returned. AEON is AEON and its typically successful anywhere it goes. Furthermore, it will be difficult to gain back the funds that Okinawa gains from the service men and women that are located on Okinawa as well as their families. That is an incredible amount of disposable income they want to move away from Okinawa.

In the article Klingner urges U.S. President Barrack Obama to further press the Japanese government (then Kan cabinet) to expedite the construction of Futenma's replacement at Henoko.  Obama had previously written a hand-written personal letter to then Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama when he returned to the Henoko plan after twists and turns, thanking him for his decision. 

All this hell-bent stance by the U.S. side toward the Henoko relocation plan indicates Henoko has been a target site for Futenma’s relocation from the very beginning.

Ganbare Japan!Today 06:34 pm JST

To all the Abe bashers. He is still over 35 percent more approval than any "rival". He is a survivor, and will likely press on until 2025. Speaking honestly, opposition parties are a rabble and no hope, and it is a lie to deny this.

It seems as if you can't think of much positive to say about him that doesn't sound like meaningless platitudes and are falling back on the "but just look at how bad the opposition are" cant. Is that a tacit admission that Abe is really just mediocre?

"Irrelevant. Abe never was elected by majority people."

This is correct, because in a "Parliamentary democracy, democratic form of government in which the party (or a coalition of parties) with the greatest representation in the parliament (legislature) forms the government, its leader becoming prime minister.

The LDP won the most votes.

That guy won't back down in 2021 just because some party-regulations tells him to.

On this you are wrong, once 2021 comes along there will be some major infighting within the LDP. There were may that "sold" their vote to give Abe his 3rd term as party leader and they will be wanting payback.

He will not attempt another term, as it would require the LDP members throughout the country to agree to changing the bylaws again, and the chances of that happening are slim to none as of right now!

So Which other party JT-experts are pushing?

Communist Party.

The Okinawans are right. It is their island and Abe must respect the facts.

Okinawa is NOT a sovereign, independent country. Okinawa is a PREFECTURE OF JAPAN and under Japanese jurisdiction. The military treaties that allows U.S. military base presence on Okinawa was negotiated between Japan central government and U.S., not between Okinawa local government and the U.S. It is Gov. Tamaki who must respect the facts and cooperate with PM Abe to resolve the issue.

When ALL Okinawans (and not just a noisy political active minority claiming to "represent" Okinawans) no longer considers itself a "Japanese Prefecture", they can hold a referendum to go "independent", secede from Japan, establish an independent sovereign government and then order the removal of the U.S. military bases. Until then, they have to accept the Japan-U.S. decision to close Futenma and relocate to Henoko.

So Which other party JT-experts are pushing?

Communist Party.

Confirms my suspicions. Thank you.

Do Okinawans want Chinese to invade? Pure and simple

Not as invaders, but people like Gov. Tamaki, JT-experts like "voice" and the Communist Party in Okinawa do not consider China to be an enemy or adversary. They would probably welcome China as "guests" to invest in Okinawa under its so-called "One Belt, One Road" economic program. (By the way, accompanying the Chinese financial and infrastructure investment will be the Chinese military to protect said investments; don't be surprise if they occupy the military bases vacated by the departed Americans. Will Okinawa accept Chinese military occupation?)

But the stumbling block is the fact Okinawa is a prefecture of Japan and so long as it remains a Japanese prefecture, Japan central government would never allow Okinawa to "participate" in China's program.

But I think the plan to relocate Futenma to Henoko has nothing to do with deterrence or the U.S.’s war strategy, as attested by Lawrence Wilkerson, a retired U.S. Army colonel, 

Wilkerson's opinion is not supported nor shared by the U.S. and Japan national interests, regional threats, and the U.S.–Japan alliance’s military requirements.

https://www.heritage.org/asia/report/top-10-reasons-why-the-us-marines-okinawa-are-essential-peace-and-security-the-pacific#_ftn19

Abe and LDP is the best Japan can have under the current circumstances. It is the most sensible option in practical terms both political and economic.

Opposition parties must stop talking about sentimentality and offer practical solutions. Even on issues that they refuse to recognize as a problem for the future. Like the reform of Article 9 to adapt it to current times. Until you understand this concept, you can never win an election. And to be able to take the LDP to the opposition. It's no use winning by spreading lies you can't keep. As it happened between 2009 and 2011. And I assure you that defeating Abe and the LDP is possible. All you have to do is govern with the truth. Although some measures are very uncomfortable for the public, but at the same time reasonable. Provided that the basic principle of reaching agreements at a negotiating table in order to establish basic consensus is applied. Which is precisely the basic principle of a liberal Western democracy.

The governor of Tokyo Koikie is the example that a politician in Japan has to follow. She does not belong to the LDP and governs on the basis of consensus with other parties that do not belong to the central government. He defeated Abe and the LDP. Making history by proving that you can win. Too bad PDCJ don't share Koike's thoughts. Nor does it have a leader like her.

Because if it was. The opposition would triumph in Japan.

Anyone with a head would know that Abe is a joke. He wasted at least 5 years of precious time of Japanese people. He misjudged the world developing trend, and mismanaged Japanese foreign and domestic policies. He was elected because the system is corrupted. As long as you can lie and you can tell jokes to make people laugh, then you can be elected. That is Japan.

Halwick,

The article by Bruce Klingner you referred to, "Ten Reasons Why the U.S. Marines on Okinawa are Essential to Peace and Security in the Pacific," lists ten reasons why the presence of marines is needed in Okinawa. 

But none of these ten reasons answers my question why Futenma's function must be maintained within Okinawa when the core elements of them, the troops who will be mobilized and tactically engaged in actual combat in war, are to move to Guam, some 2200 km away from Okinawa.  Note also that the two countries have struck a deal to the effect that the JSDF has primary responsibility to defend Japan’s territory, not the USFJ.

The Marines may be an integral part of the U.S.'s war strategy, as Klingner says, but that doesn't mean they must retain the bulk (more than 70%) of U.S. bases in Okinawa.

Futenma can be closed immediately with no strings attached only if the U.S. says it wil

To all the Abe bashers. He is still over 35 percent more approval than any "rival". He is a survivor, and will likely press on until 2025. Speaking honestly, opposition parties are a rabble and no hope, and it is a lie to deny this.

The problem for Japan is that there are too few stupid people and they will never form majority govt, because smart people aren't involved in politics.

If you don't like Abe, don't vote for LDP. If you vote for LDP, you're inevitably securing Abe another term as prime minister. That guy won't back down in 2021 just because some party-regulations tells him to.

If you're unsatisfied with the turn Japan has taken economically and politically in the last seven years, don't vote for LDP, you'll be voting for Abe if you do so. Even if you like the party's program, it won't work with Abe in power!

That's right. No matter how you hate Abe, you can't do anything about LDP's fractional infighting.

So Which other party JT-experts are pushing? or　are you against Japan's party politics itself?

Okinawa is a sovereign, independent country, based on history and international laws.

Futenma can be closed and returned immediately with no strings attached only if the U.S. says it wil

While I hate Abe no way am i going to vote for the oppotition which is even more incompetent than LDP.

740 random households, from what part of the country? Let me guess, Tokyo!

No from a computer generate random sample taken from the throughout the country.

RE: Okinawa. If the US is booted from Okinawa, Japan might have to kiss its safety goodbye. Asia still lives in the 20th century and the occupation is nowhere near forgotten by the Korea's and China.

Do Okinawans want Chinese to invade? Pure and simple