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© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2018.Abe takes blame for loss of trust over scandal as polls dive, but denies involvement
By Kaori Kaneko and Elaine Lies TOKYO©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
35 Comments
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thepersoniamnow
Lol so funny. I love how the technicality of who’s who of who’s guilty and who’s responsible and who’s to blame combined with who takes the fall...it’s just ridiculous.
The dangerous thing about this kinda logic is that it perpetuates more corruption and it also accustoms the public to scandals that simply need a bow or a change in face to make it all better.
It also means that people get held to a very low standard of accountability, which isn’t up to international standard.
If the punishment for causing hundreds of millions of dollars in falsities (Kobe Steel) or producing decades worth of tainted shots and medicines is simply a bow and a change in oyaji, that is an excellent incentive to keep being corrupt.
Bowing is not a punishment. For a politician, neither is resigning! He or she is still rich and powerful and usually got to serve their term.
Strikebreaker555
Okey, let’s say that you didn’t know about the altered documents. And that it was your subordinates that ordered the alteration. This proves that you as Prime Minister of Japan has no control over your government!
In fact you should still resign, as this proves your inability to govern Japan in a stable and content manner! A Prime Minister who has lost control over his government can no longer rule efficiently or honestly.
Deep inside, everyone know that you knew about the documents existence. You’re just trying to push the blame onto someone else, just to save yourself. Man, this is a disgrace to former Prime Ministers.
Japan, make him resign and form a new government. We’ve been keeping up with this for too long!
smithinjapan
"As head of the government, I keenly feel my responsibility in the matter of the people losing their trust in the administration,"
Then quit. Or commit seppuku. As for the "I'll speak on behalf of my wife" crap, this is another problem with the system; "you can accept my word as law" in investigations should not be permitted anymore than companies and sports bodies investigating things internally when crimes have been committed. If she is called to testify, he cannot go in her place simply because he says he will.
"Ishiba was followed by 21.2 percent for Shinjiro Koizumi, the telegenic son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi."
Ah, the game of musical chairs for the former, and nepotism in the Old Boy's club for the latter.
maybeperhapsyes
You honestly couldn't make this up. These two slippery eels are going to get away with this. Just deny any involvement and move on. Must remember this tactic next time I get caught out.
Cricky
Squirming to wriggle their way of any accountability. They should be embarrassed and as they are both of retirement age...retire. Same goes for all involved. These ruling families just don't possess a moral compass at all.
Ganbare Japan!
PM Abe and Vice PM Aso will never quit, or “fall on their katana’ as many ignorant protestors say. Abe-san and Aso-san are born fighters, from areas of famous tough people,Yamaguchi and Kyushu.Always up for a “streetfight”,unlike the paid “rent-a-crowd” protesters.
Eyeblack
Aso and Abe didn't get into politics because they are interested in public service or having the public's trust.
Disillusioned
So, he denies directing the changes that had any reference to him, his wife and his best crony buddy Aso removed from the records? So, who is gonna step up and take the fall for him? They all had to be aware of the details of the deal, including his wife who agreed to be honorary principal of the school. However, since there is no longer any evidence to prove they were involved they are going to ride out the storm. I distinctly remember the school operator pointing the finger directly at Abe and his wife during his first rounds of questioning. However, that information has also been deleted.
katsu78
I've lived in Japan for many years, and I still don't understand this concept. How can a person say they're taking responsibility for something when they deny involvement in it and they take no concrete action to solve it - only speaking words of apology. That's not taking responsibility, that's going through the motions of the barest minimum of social obligation.
Daniel Naumoff
One can not take blame for something he had no involvement in. It defies logic, common sense.
browny1
Ganbare Japan - nothing tough about Abe & Aso.
They're both "Spooners" who've been brought up in sheltered societies, and used to getting what they want.
Being arrogant. vociferous and possessing a sense of self-entitlement should never be mistakenly equated for toughness.
They wouldn't know hardship if it was staring them in the face.
But as others have noted, Abe & Aso will probably worm & squirm & worm again, but never accept responsibility for matters on their call.
Deny & deflect. Characteristics more befitting weakness than toughness.
Simon Foston
Ganbare Japan!Today 04:41 pm JST
Oh really? Abe quit in 2007. Wasn't up for a "streetfight" then, was he? And I wasn't aware of him being born or raised in Yamaguchi, as much as he might like to boast about his associations with the place.
Cricky
A place of birth bestowed toughness? They have lied about illegal land deals. Evidence destroyed or changed. Death, people in jail for 9 months with no trail for a non violent crime. His wife with close ties to said school. And as the special adviser to Nippon Kaigi and the PM this all happened without any imputed comment by him or Aso...now that's disfuncianal on many levels.
Simon Foston
CrickyToday 05:38 pm JST
It's quite telling when these are the best arguments Abe's supporters can produce, isn't it.
Cricky
Yes it is, so maybe this argument gives us a window into the mental state of Japan's leaders and supporters.
wanderlust
50 Shades of Apology here, not even halfway down the scale yet...
fxgai
The Finance Ministry doctoring of the documents might have just been sontaku, but it gives the appearance of framing Abe an Aso at best, or implicating then at worst.
But who believes the Finance Ministry has any motive to frame Aso and Abe for cronyism?
BertieWooster
By the look of his face on the photo above, he's going for the sympathy vote!
Toasted Heretic
Ah, the paid protesters gambit. An interesting move.
I don't believe Abe is up for anything at this stage and one more revelations start to surface it could be the end for one of Japan's worst PMs.
Fingers crossed.
Daniel Naumoff
I am sure for him to be labeled "Japan's worst PM" he has to, well, "suprass" others by starting another war. And there are institutions to prevent this from happening again (hopefully). Shinzo Abe is just another one Japan PM, somewhat worse than his predecessors were.
sf2k
This will just increase the pressure for Abe and Aso to resign. The more oxygen this story gets the more it will shut down the government
Simon Foston
CrickyToday 08:05 pm JST
Abe was born and raised in Tokyo. He just inherited the family Diet seat in Yamaguchi.
BertieWooster
There is a misconception that Abe and Aso certainly have and many of the voters share, that the Prime Minister is the leader. Abe is not supposed to be the leader of Japan, he is supposed to represent his people. He certainly represents a certain circle of them, a tiny percent. But he is supposed to represent the majority.
He doesn't.
Simon Foston
marcelitoToday 10:33 pm JST
What's funny is how bad they are at it. They always say basically the same things:
"Shinzo Abe has been a great PM." Never mind that he has hardly achieved anything.
"Five years of stability is far better than the chaos we had before." That's not saying a great deal really.
"You can't trust the opposition to run the country, all they do is criticise the government." Anyone spot the unintended irony?
"If you don't support Abe it's probably because you're foreign, a criminal, a twisted and bitter Japanophobe, a communist or all of the above." Abe doesn't seem to be winning any popularity contests in the LDP either.
"It's hardly a big deal anyway. Who cares about a bit of land in Osaka?" Abe made it a big deal when he said he would resign if it turned out he was involved.
I suppose defending Abe must be pretty hard when he gives you so little to work with.
Dukeleto
I am sorry, niether could “streetfight” their way out of a wet paper bag. But lying through their teeth, they are grand masters, both of them!
Toasted Heretic
Abe's spectacular fall from grace and ratings dive gladdens the heart. Not because I'm anti-Japanese (far from it) but because I think Japan deserves far, far better than this man.
Akie
What does it mean " takes blame" ? Take another PM term ?
tokyodoumo
This case is not about Abe or Aso's survival... It's about Heads of State committing fraud which they admitted to and should be dealt accordingly.
Haruka
Abe and his boys say so many things and rescind on them, just like the big build up towards the Olympics and the no smoking planned for restaurants.
The man is full of lies. It is quite sad, as obviously he is an intelligent man and seems kind also.
Aly Rustom
I think the game is up for him and Aso. The LDP will not allow him another term. They could end up losing alot of seats during the next election. So I think the pressure will mount on him to leave
toshiko
They just blame themselves and they will be pm, vice pm again. Because LDP will be the majority party.
toshiko
Don't hope LDP loses seats. Komeito will. gain. Others, especially DPJ will lose.
toshiko
Unless Japan begin general election foor PM, Abe is not going to quit PM.