politics

Ishiba most popular choice for next PM: poll

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Alfie Noakes

JTimes: "Suga wins backing of leading LDP factions in race to replace Abe" - Two major factions of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, including one led by Finance Minister Taro Aso, were set to support Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga in a vote to pick the successor to outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.

You are correct. Suga will be next :(

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This sort of case could happen again, depends on Nikai’s decision , who’s a general secretary at LDP

The 80 year old Nikai has come out for Suga. So, despite Ishiba being the most popular with Japanese people they're going to get Suga, because an 80 year old man who can barely stand up supports Suga.

No debates, no manifestos, no policy explanations, no nothing.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Ishiba won against Abe in the first round of an LDP presidential election in 2012, due to strong support from rank-and-file members of the party, but was defeated in the second round when only lawmakers were allowed to cast ballots.

This sort of case could happen again, depends on Nikai’s decision , who’s a general secretary at LDP

That means there still be a large gap and far distance between will of people and parliamentarians

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Kono Kono Kono

Yes yes yes

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Kono Kono Kono

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Note that the online uyokus deem Ishiba a traitor, North Korean / Chinese operative, and all the rest.

In Japanese politics there is only right and Right, if you want to prosper by living and thinking in conformity with the politically correct. And as the Japanese say, all these characters are cut from the same (rightist) cloth: 同じ穴の狢(読み)オナジアナノムジナ - loosely translated into the current American vernacular: all creatures from the same swamp.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I really hope Taro Kono becomes the next PM. He is the most adequate and international minded among the candidates. He speaks fluent English, graduated from an American university, and is very pro-immigration. He is also in favor of building a new shrine for the war dead in order to de-escalate tensions with neighboring countries. I have a feeling if he wins, he's not going to be a PM for a long time. Just a gut feeling.

But wasn't Kono foreign minister when the whole trade dispute with South Korea began? Not sure how that was de-escalating tensions. Not saying he is the wrong man for the job, just I don't quite understand him yet.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I have the sense that many like Ishiba just because he's a self-professed otaku.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

What about Abe’s wife? She does have experience in the political trades.

@ Wolfpack - good suggestion. But Japans system of Government is completely different to the US Presidential system.

In Japan, the LDP President in practice comes from a sitting member of the Diet. Mrs Abe is not currently a sitting member. If a seat became available very soon, and Mrs Abe won it in a by-election, she could in theory apply to become LDP President, and therefore PM if she had enough support. In reality, it is unlikely.

I think the Abes are going to take a big break from politics for some time, travel around the world, and PM Abe likely take on Guest Lecturer roles in Think Tanks around the world.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What about Abe’s wife? She does have experience in the political trades.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Lets get Mori back. He was terrific.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Hopefull, Ishiba won’t attack North Korea preemptively if he becomes PM...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Note that the online uyokus deem Ishiba a traitor, North Korean / Chinese operative, and all the rest.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Ishiba most popular choice for next PM: poll

Who did they ask, his family?

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Ishiba. A member of the extreme right-wing. He believes in UFOs and advocates preparing to repel invading Aliens from Outer Space. Proposes that Japan should have the equivalent of the US Marines (what's dumber than a Marine grunt? A Marine officer.) He advocates the ability to construct nuclear weapons. Endorses a preemptive strike against North Korea. Considered peaceful protests against The Secrecy Bill, terrorist acts. Is unrepentant and ignores the facts about the forced sexual enslavement of Korean women during the not-so-Great War. His financial acumen is less than enlightened, he appears to be lacking in comprehension of basic economics. And, of course, wants to rid the Constitution of it pacifist amendment. His views on gender equality mirror those of his compatriots, Japan ranks lowest among G-7 nations in gender equality. Additionally his views on freedom of the press are dismal. More of the same, just worse.

Yep. Sounds like he's the perfect choice for PM.

Anyway, we'll see. this is not a democracy. Nippon Kaigi will choose who the next PM is. (IF they haven't already) and are just going through the motions of democracy..

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Ishiba. A member of the extreme right-wing. He believes in UFOs and advocates preparing to repel invading Aliens from Outer Space. Proposes that Japan should have the equivalent of the US Marines (what's dumber than a Marine grunt? A Marine officer.) He advocates the ability to construct nuclear weapons. Endorses a preemptive strike against North Korea. Considered peaceful protests against The Secrecy Bill, terrorist acts. Is unrepentant and ignores the facts about the forced sexual enslavement of Korean women during the not-so-Great War. His financial acumen is less than enlightened, he appears to be lacking in comprehension of basic economics. And, of course, wants to rid the Constitution of it pacifist amendment. His views on gender equality mirror those of his compatriots, Japan ranks lowest among G-7 nations in gender equality. Additionally his views on freedom of the press are dismal. More of the same, just worse.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Milquetoast Ishiba is a wannabe samurai, the ideal robotic Nippon Kaigi candidate. And he's taller than Suga.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

They need a FEMALE prime minister.

An Inada fan?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Ishiba is unpopular among LDP lawmakers whose presidential votes override those of rank party members in local chapters.

Personally I still don't get his broad popularity. Ishiba supports a tighter budget and fiscal balance (resisting a lower consumption tax as a relief under the virus crisis). He doesn't yet quit a state visit arranged for China's President Xi though majority Japanese in various polls oppose to the invitation.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They need a FEMALE prime minister. Get with the times already, Japan.

They need a COMPETENT prime minister, regardless of gender.

And since this is Japan, the PM has to have Japanese DNA.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

They need a FEMALE prime minister.

Get with the times already, Japan.

Which one? I hope you arent suggesting women can do a better job than men, regardless of their credentials, experience and qualifications. Thats tokenism and pure sexism, old man.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

They need a FEMALE prime minister.

Get with the times already, Japan.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Better than suga.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Ishiba visited our town and I actually had a chance to listen and see him up close... What he said boiled down to... Do everything yourself unless we tell you otherwise. He doesn't want to support, but rather wants support. Who the heck to they call in these surveys?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The LDP have a history of trying to hire a lame PM at certain times, last one was when Murayama was allowed to be PM. Which totally coincidentally coincided with the 50th year anniversary of the end of WWII & NONE of the LDP wanted the job because NONE of them had the stones to do the closest thing to a REAL apology now in over 75yrs!!

If you werent here then a quick brief, Murayama san's speech was the most accurate, honest & CLEAR with regards to WWII. Which as you can imagine totally infuriated the entire LDP which went nuts at the time with chest thumping denials en-mass!!

Why the above you may ask, well because NOW we the Virus & the Olympics which are BOTH disasters, SO it is entirely possible the LDP will attempt to hire a lame PM, this time within their ranks, to try & ride out 2020\2021 & come next fall toss them

We will see if Ishiba is that guy!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

When you have dross electing a leader amongst themselves, expect dross to float to the surface. They should simply have a park slide and whoever can walk after using it wins.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Who cares what citizens think, they don’t get to choose.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Ishiba won against Abe in the first round of an LDP presidential election in 2012, due to strong support from rank-and-file members of the party, but was defeated in the second round when only lawmakers were allowed to cast ballots.

This again is a point that the LDP has to deal with. They are trying to decide if they will allow all delegates to vote, or only the the designated one's from the prefectures, which would drop the total significantly, and of course all the elected Diet members of the LDP.

Ishiba is popular in the country, but not within the LDP itself, because he is no afraid to speak his mind against policies he is in disagreement with, unlike other LDP members who followed along with Abe.

I would like to see him take over, and give him a chance to implement his ideas vs an Abe clone like Suga or Kishida.

The others are truly dark horses and have little chance!

10 ( +10 / -0 )

I really hope Taro Kono becomes the next PM. He is the most adequate and international minded among the candidates. He speaks fluent English, graduated from an American university, and is very pro-immigration. He is also in favor of building a new shrine for the war dead in order to de-escalate tensions with neighboring countries. I have a feeling if he wins, he's not going to be a PM for a long time. Just a gut feeling.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

We should cross check Kyodo News poll results. I can’t believe that Ishiba, a double-crossing politician known for hopping from one political party to another, is so popular.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The survey, covering 716 randomly selected households with eligible voters and 1,355 mobile phone numbers, obtained responses from 528 and 522 people, respectively.

So approximately 50% of those polled either refused to answer, didn't pick up, or gave an answer that the pollsters decided not to use (expletive, Kumamon, yer ma etc.).

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Another Nippon Kaigi stooge.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Yikes!!

I hope Kono Taro will be the next PM!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Ishiba will become PM in October 2021 after Suga has served out the remaining term of Abe.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

The survey introduced here is a random telephone poll conducted by a press. Ishiba's faction has less than 20 members in the diet - upper house and lower house included. He is impossible to win the election if the selection is done by diet members. That is why he insists voting should be done by all the LDP members including non diet members and it is not happening.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

”Leadership” was the most desired trait, but this article sets those traits out as general concepts almost.

These general phone out surveys done to put a thermometer into the nation are a bit much.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

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