Ex-defense chief Ishiba elected Japan ruling party leader

Quite suprising tbh

Democracy in action if the scope of a democracy is a party vote.

Takaichi, bring it. Her and Trump together will be chaos. Fun times, indeed.

The opposition must be laughing and celebrating at this!

deanzaZZRToday  02:39 pm JST

Democracy in action if the scope of a democracy is a party vote. 

Takaichi, bring it. Her and Trump together will be chaos. Fun times, indeed.

No different than say the US/French, UK NZ parties choosing their candidates and then the public can choose.

Takaichi looks to have done it. Aso's endorsement of her probably got her into the runoff - and will likely get her over Ishiba who was well behind with the Diet members. Koizumi the most popular among his Diet colleagues.

 and then the public can choose

No public election is necessary.

Also the LDP has been in power 95+% of the time since 1952.

The opposition must be laughing and celebrating at this!

Not likely.

Realistically, Takaichi or Ishiba will almost certainly thump the opposition in the upcoming general election.

Oh dear!

Hats off to Ishiba-san.

What an "Omen", how this guy is professional to do the job? Amateur !

Called it. The safe pair of hands wins.

I guess the LDP can now consider itself to have made progress, at least letting a woman get to the runoff stage.

As expected. As if the old men who rule Japan would ever allow a woman to be Prime Minister...!

Abe-protege Sanae Takaichi coming in a strong second says a whole lot about Japan’s leadership. Thank goodness we avoided that mess. But her and her supporters still have a strong grip on policy — unfortunately.

Congratulations, Ishiba San, the Diet have spoken. Time to roll your sleeves and get down to work.

Congratulations, Ishiba San, the Diet have spoken. Time to roll your sleeves and ****maintain everything exactly as it is.

Fixed it for you!

As expected. As if the old men who rule Japan would ever allow a woman to be Prime Minister...!

Don't worry, they'll promote her to Ishiba's tea-maker.

Abe-protege Sanae Takaichi coming in a strong second says a whole lot about Japan’s leadership.

That means nothing, Abe-san is dead. Without his protection, she just can't do anything as like Mr.Kishida done in the past three years. Time wasting!

Takaichi looks to have done it. Aso's endorsement of her probably got her into the runoff - and will likely get her over Ishiba who was well behind with the Diet members.

Dude looks foolish!

"As expected. As if the old men who rule Japan would ever allow a woman to be Prime Minister...!

Don't worry, they'll promote her to Ishiba's tea-maker."

Does really matter whether the PM is a man or a woman? whoever is most capable should have the job regardless of the genitalia.

Surprising, and not surprising. Old people vote for old people...

I wouldn't have voted for Takaichi, apparently she's an extreme hardliner and wears the pants even in her own family. It would have been a comedy to see her dictates to old blokes.

IMHO, Ishiba will soon suffer the same factional leaks against him as he has done to others.

Does anyone even like this guy? He seems to have disappeared for years and suddenly he is PM.

Good grief. If this was the least worst option we're doomed.

The rubber stamp Diet vote happens in a few days.

Congratulations, Ishiba San, the Diet have spoken

deanzaZZRToday 02:39 pm JST

Democracy in action if the scope of a democracy is a party vote.

As you and the rest of the pro-CCP mob have been told many times, the Japanese people will have their voices heard in the general election, as with the many other parliamentary democracies around the world.

You may not understand, being a CCP zealot, but yes, this is democracy, and yes it does work. Just like Taiwan, which Ishiba recently visited. I certainly hope he does so again.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/08/37a4f375b555-taiwans-lai-seeks-unity-in-talks-with-veteran-japan-lawmaker-ishiba.html

Japan came within a cat's whisker of having its very own version of Sarah Palin run the country!

Ah, the good old LDP. Give them a choice between a younger man, a woman and an old man and you can guarantee they'll choose the old man almost every time. At least the country has dodged a bullet with Takaichi not getting in.

The new leader faces the challenge of revamping a party stung by a slush funds scandal and restoring voter trust ahead of the not-so-distant national election.

I wonder how far Ishiba's plans for an 'Asian NATO" and joint management of US military bases in Japan will go.

No very far I reckon.

Fighto!

Today 03:05 pm JST

Realistically, Takaichi or Ishiba will almost certainly thump the opposition in the upcoming general election.

That's not saying a whole lot. I a fair and evenly-balanced contest the LDP would stand no chance against any credible, competent opposition party.

That's not saying a whole lot. I a fair and evenly-balanced contest the LDP would stand no chance against any credible, competent opposition party.

Well, that's really up to the opposition to get their act together, present attractive, different, policy and campaign well. Can't just blame the LDP, they need to look inwards.

It's in the best interests of the nation to have a robust opposition.

Thank Buddha we've got the bureaucrats in Kasumigaseki to really run the country. .

Still, the debates held among the candidates, hosted by the LDP and media outlets, did not go into depth, partly due to time constraints.

Readers can guess the other partial reasons for that.

Quite suprising tbh

Not one bit!

on such other contentious issues as whether to allow married couples to use different surnames, 

yeah totally critical stuff like that /s

not my country, not my business,

Japanese friends sure are blowing up my socials though telling me how bad this is for them and me.

Oh dear again! The man who can only move his chin and nod his head wins. Gotta learn to smile a bit more for us to get over the uncanny valley.

Not unexpected at all.

Koizumi, while having a "fresh" appearance on his side was deemed to be still a greenhorn by many and would have jumped the queue by miles.

Takaichi had the advantage of turning social tides on her side by being the first woman to be elected leader, but surely was deemed to be a volatile card with her often neo-con stances.

That left good ol' Ishiba remaining to sit squarely between the two, fitting into the role with the least feathers ruffled.

What it means for the country is unknown atm, but rest assured a huge sweeping brush will not be wielded, but rather a a serious" feather dusting will take place.

Yay!! Ishiba won... my Oshi（推し）so, he is my Oshi no Ko... i guess.

Good for him, and to be true, I have some hopes too, little (since he is a polititian) but still hope

Another very old Japanese politician that will keep Japan in the past.

Its interesting that oftentimes politicians are getting on the peak of their careers at the age when most men are retired. Sounds like its not so mentally and physically demanding job, which is a bit surprising.

Lol, you're right.

I guess Ishiba was the best of the hopefuls.

Its interesting that oftentimes politicians are getting on the peak of their careers at the age when most men are retired. Sounds like its not so mentally and physically demanding job, which is a bit surprising

Bet? How many pesos are you willing to risk?

Just like Taiwan, which Ishiba recently visited. I certainly hope he does so again.

Does really matter whether the PM is a man or a woman? whoever is most capable should have the job regardless of the genitalia.

Fashionable and very pc to say, but there actually are a lot of differences beyond genatalia with regards to outlook, priorities, etc. In addition, other world leaders interact with and view the two as different.

That is not to say one is more qualified than the other, just that there are a number of differences to take into account when evaluating who is more qualified.

deanzaZZRToday  02:59 pm JST

 and then the public can choose

No public election is necessary.

Also the LDP has been in power 95+% of the time since 1952.

The CCP has been in power 100% of the time since 1949. And they made all other political parties illegal.

Same party, same policies.. nothing will change.

The multi-generational silver spoon, tax payer money sucking leeches will continue on as normal.

Fighto!

Today 04:22 pm JST

Well, that's really up to the opposition to get their act together, present attractive, different, policy and campaign well. Can't just blame the LDP, they need to look inwards.

I can certainly blame the LDP for doing nothing about the urban/rural vote value disparity, the high cost of running as an election candidate or loopholes in the political funding laws that let politicians basically pocket personal donations, all of which work to the LDP's favour and keep the opposition weak.

I said Ishiba would take it out. Even before the nine were establish. I push forward his name when Kishida announce stepping down. He work well with Mitsubishi who is the big winner today.

He finally won a round of "PM Musical Chairs." Takaichi will just have to keep circling around until Ishiba quits in a year or so.

conservative members like Takaichi, who value traditional family structures

What traditional family structures? W T F is she talking about? According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 35.5% of marriages in Japan end up in divorce. W T F is traditional about that? Broken families everywhere across the country. Psychologically broken kids grow up and make an even bigger mess in their family life then their parents. Or they just simply stay single, which is the main reason why this whole f@#king country is going the way of the dodo right now. She should pull her head out of her softer bottom parts before pushing her outdated bigotted indoctrinated buIIshit.

The 67-year-old, a former defence minister, beat his rightwing rival Sanae Takaichi, who was attempting to become the country’s first female prime minister, by 215 votes to 194 in a runoff election at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on Friday.

Too bad. The wife was hoping for a first female PM. Maybe next time eh?!

Another one getting his turn.

The yen/dollar instantly rose from 146 to 143, so the markets must have feared Takaichi.

I’m ambivalent, but hopeful

Mr. Ishiba will be the right fit,

bringing stability and reason to his post.

While he emphasizes the need for the Japan-U.S. bilateral alliance to be solid, he has also said that as premier, he would seek to revise the agreement defining the status of U.S. forces stationed in Japan.

Good for Japan. Ishiba will say no to Trump and the US asking for more money.

Fighto!Today  02:55 pm JST

Takaichi looks to have done it. Aso's endorsement of her probably got her into the runoff - and will likely get her over Ishiba who was well behind with the Diet members. Koizumi the most popular among his Diet colleagues.

How is that crow tasting tonight?

Yeah there was so-called experts telling that it is so undecided that it will be a two round election and other BS that the media was using to entertain the population. As I said a few days ago this was already decided since those so-called voters were actually given the instruction on who to vote for. Japan politics and government are rotted.

deanzaZZRToday  02:59 pm JST

 and then the public can choose

No public election is necessary.

Also the LDP has been in power 95+% of the time since 1952.

The CCP has been in power 100% of the time since 1949. And they made all other political parties illegal

Yes, Japan is just like the CPC as you have pointed out, a single party government.

It would have been better to compare Japan with the United States or another democratic country where no one party rules 95+% of the time.

As I said a few days ago this was already decided since those so-called voters were actually given the instruction on who to vote for. Japan politics and government are rotted.

The culture of 忖度 sontaku and following your senior superiors.

It's in the best interests of the nation to have a robust opposition.

What kind of nonsense is this? People are so delusional. Japan has no opposition and it never had really. There is an oligarchy ruling Japan, the same one that has been in power almost continuously for 80 years. The «opposition» here are just puppets for decoration so that Japan can pretend to be a democracy.

Not surprised at all. What will this mean for Japan? Probably not a huge change in tide but we'll find out.

At least I don't need to hear Kishida making any more empty promises, excuses, and lies anymore. Hope this means we've abandoned "New Capitalism" aka Abenomics 2.0.

Yes, Japan is just like the CPC as you have pointed out, a single party government.

Do you have an option to not elect Xi in China?

Is there any alternative? Can you even utter an alternative in China?

Congratulations to Ishibasan. We only ever get to see the surface and all the heavy lifting alliance and strategy building which a process that we will never get to see nor fully understand. What we do get to look at from now is how Ishiba carries his style of leadership, in what may be a historically difficult time for not only Japan, but the entire world. What will Ishiba do with the J brand and trajectory.

Here’s to the next chapter. May the old ship sail on.

Japan has no opposition and it never had really. There is an oligarchy ruling Japan, the same one that has been in power almost continuously for 80 years.

Exactly. The elite rule in Japan and in China and in the US. It is very much the same as the CPC only the CPC does not have the dog and pony show. The oppositions are all within the same party, the LDP and the CPC.

Exactly. The elite rule in Japan and in China and in the US. It is very much the same as the CPC only the CPC does not have the dog and pony show. The oppositions are all within the same party, the LDP and the CPC.

In China you have absolutely no voting options. There is no alternative to Xi. You know this.

In the USA you have two very different options who have been elected multiple times. In Japan you still have voting rights and options despite the dominance of one party.

What happened to you to make you simp so hard for an autocrat?

quercetumToday 10:36 pm JST

It is very much the same as the CPC only the CPC does not have the dog and pony show.

Except it isn't the same at all, no matter how many times you try to push this propaganda line.

Japan is a parliamentary democracy, with a defined election process, multiple parties with differing platforms, and laws that are made by elected representatives.

China is a one-party autocracy, with no elections (other for than low-level local officials with no political power, who must all obey the CCP), and where all "laws" [sic] are made by and for the benefit of the CCP, with zero input from the people.

And yes, I am aware that China has minor "parties," [sic] but:

1) they are not allowed to hold power

2) they are not allowed to oppose the CCP in any way

...so they are therefore nothing but worthless, Potemkin Parties.

Japan (or should I say the LDP) wasted a golden opportunity today—Sanae Takaichi was more than competent and popular (*much more popular than Ishiba, which makes it all the more tragic*) enough to be the first female PM;

(her leadership would be the beginning of much needed change and recovery for Japan (—*in the minds of millions of Japanese men who think women are less capable than men, Japan’s relationship with China, the Koreas and the US, the economy and the identity and pride of the Japanese people*))… (But I guess that will have to wait—the oyajis are too busy “holding the country hostage”…)

…

You were almost there, Takaichi… so close。。。 おつかれさまでした。

Takaichi would have shaken things up a bit as Japan's first female PM. I feel sad that it's not going to happen in my lifetime.

How many times did he run before and lose.

Scraping the dregs

The good is not backing down from the promises made on the JSDF and re-examining the positions with the US regarding military alignments.

The bad is the income tax increases, consumption tax is already at 10% now and wages have barely budged in that time frame so how the solution of increasing taxes on those low wages is mind boggling.

You want everyone to start having families again, yet you continue to make it unaffordable to do so! It's the same old tired dance that makes you pull your hair out.

quercetumToday 10:36 pm JST

Japan has no opposition and it never had really. There is an oligarchy ruling Japan, the same one that has been in power almost continuously for 80 years.

Exactly. The elite rule in Japan and in China and in the US. It is very much the same as the CPC only the CPC does not have the dog and pony show. The oppositions are all within the same party, the LDP and the CPC.

Right, the clapping penguin show comes with the national people's congress where the words of the Glorious Leader are endorsed.

CSToday 11:55 pm JST

As expected. As if the old men who rule Japan would ever allow a woman to be Prime Minister...!

The same situation in America.

Any of the top leadership of the LDP women like Pelosi? Uh huh. Not the same situation as America.

Right, the clapping penguin show comes with the national people's congress where the words of the Glorious Leader are endorsed.

Do you think it is sincere applause? It's just a formality, tatemae. On the other hand, the masses read the media and believe a nuclear sub has sunk in Wuhan. So gullible.

Takaichi would have shaken things up a bit as Japan's first female PM. I feel sad that it's not going to happen in my lifetime.

I believe Takaichi would have been best for Japan to become independent from the US. Ishiba was next best and so I am not complaining. Ishiba had more votes than Abe in the initial round back in 2012 but was defeated by Abe in the second round per newstalk.

quercetumToday 12:44 am JST

Right, the clapping penguin show comes with the national people's congress where the words of the Glorious Leader are endorsed.

Do you think it is sincere applause? It's just a formality, tatemae. On the other hand, the masses read the media and believe a nuclear sub has sunk in Wuhan. So gullible.

They applaud with smiles or they can end up in prison. This is life in dictatorship China.

Ishiba defeating the Aso faction is positive news.

Do you think it is sincere applause? It's just a formality, tatemae. On the other hand, the masses read the media and believe a nuclear sub has sunk in Wuhan. So gullible.

Oh but you....you know better, right? Because you just know things, am I right?

The best part of interacting with the muppets for the world dictators and autocrats is they truly don't know how laughable they all look. Nobody buys the things in the free world you're forced to accept at the point of a bayonet. So we all laugh.

He's always been a bit of a rebel. I like that about him.

rcchSep. 27  11:25 pm JST

*Japan (or should I say the LDP) wasted a golden opportunity today—Sanae Takaichi was more than competent and popular (much more popular than Ishiba, which makes it all the more tragic) enough to be the first female PM;*

To me she looks like a career politician who never had a job outside of politics, got ahead by being a useful female mouthpiece for bigots and sexists in the LDP, never achieved anything in any of her ministerial portfolios, associated with neo-nazis and then lied about it, and pledged to resign if leaked memos about her plans to muzzle the media were proved to be genuine and then weasled her way out of resiging when they were.

I think Japan dodged a bullet.

On the other hand, the masses read the media and believe a nuclear sub has sunk in Wuhan. So gullible.

Oh but you....you know better, right? Because you just know things, am I right?

If you are intelligent and just add two and two together, you will know it’s absolutely fake news.

They don’t build nuclear subs in Wuhan. This is the same as selling Americans beach front property in Montana. So yes I do know.

I wonder how far Ishiba's plans for an 'Asian NATO" and joint management of US military bases in Japan will go.

No very far I reckon.

Last guy who tried back in 2009, Hatoyama Yukio, didn’t have any success at all and was sacrificed. Ishiba has a better chance.

whether is Ishiba or Noda, Japan forever will be a leashed lapdog of US.

whether is Ishiba or Noda, Japan forever will be a leashed lapdog of US.

We don’t want the IJA of 80 years ago but we don’t want a vassal as well.

This is where Takaichi could have made an attempt to change things being conservative nationalist.

being a useful female mouthpiece for bigots and sexists in the LDP, never achieved anything in any of her ministerial portfolios, associated with neo-nazis and then lied about it

Perhaps as a female politician that’s what you gave to go through to first get your foot in the door?

quercetumToday  08:11 am JST

"being a useful female mouthpiece for bigots and sexists in the LDP, never achieved anything in any of her ministerial portfolios, associated with neo-nazis and then lied about it"

Perhaps as a female politician that’s what you gave to go through to first get your foot in the door?

Harumi Yoshida of the CDP didn't. She came from an ordinary background, worked in London for 3 years in the financial sector and when she came back to Japan she beat an LDP incumbent who had been re-elected ten times.

Harumi Yoshida of the CDP didn't. She came from an ordinary background, worked in London for 3 years in the financial sector and when she came back to Japan she beat an LDP incumbent who had been re-elected ten times.

My impression from watching Tiko Tok and YouTube short videos posted by Japanese in Japanese and from TV panel discussions is that Takaichi seems to have a positive reputation and high expectations from her supporters, who to me seem like ordinary Japanese and not the speaker blaring black van types. To finish second in the first round is a good start. Maybe she has to put in her dues and wait for her turn.

Massive defense spending ahead. As long as no scandals surface or contract rigging.

Japan is about to step up and push back on North Korea and China.

He should revitalize the economy as well. Japan best years are ahead.

quercetumSep. 28  11:16 am JST

Harumi Yoshida of the CDP didn't. She came from an ordinary background, worked in London for 3 years in the financial sector and when she came back to Japan she beat an LDP incumbent who had been re-elected ten times.

My impression from watching Tiko Tok and YouTube short videos posted by Japanese in Japanese and from TV panel discussions is that Takaichi seems to have a positive reputation...

Well, were the videos and TV programmes completely unbiased, do you think?

... and high expectations from her supporters, who to me seem like ordinary Japanese and not the speaker blaring black van types.

That's what I would expect of supporters. Besides, what's to distinguish the black van types from ordinary Japanese when they're not actually in the black vans? I'm sure they don't spend all their time wearing army gear and shouting slogans.

Well, were the videos and TV programmes completely unbiased, do you think?

Yes, that was redundant. Supporters are biased and subjective of course. Yes, who knows who the uploaders are in real life. Yet, they don't seem like crazies to me.

Everyone is complaining about "who is more alike to Trump".

Is a different system. Perhaps, you may think in UK, and the ruling party. How many years has passed withouth a general election?

Not every politics is presidentialism, uk has the same parlamentarian system.

Have something changed with a woman in charge?

How many ruling party existing? Is always "turning left" the answer?

Europe is turning right. Why japan must change to USA desire? That is a sign of colonization.

China, Rusia, Vietnam for saying a few live on left for decades, Do they live better than Japan?

Democratic party ruled during 2011. They leave people without housing until Abe took the leaderahip and relocated the people of Fukushima. Paid pensions, take care of TEPCO and put all effort on cleaning the dissaster.

Just a quick reminder of what "the opposition" did.