Kishida to become next PM after winning LDP leadership vote

"Kishida has the backing of many veteran lawmakers"

This immediately makes me support Konno. Not that my vote would matter in any way though

Takaichi has effectively played the role of spoiler, splitting votes between Kono and Kishida...

Kishida is Nippon Kaigi, already a huge stain on his persona. 

Only to you and the folks on JT!

One thing lost in all the noise about nippon kaigi this, or nippon kaigi that, is that Kishida was never a fan of Abe, and strongly supported Abe being forced to face the music about Moritomo Gakuen.

Now that he is PM, there is a strong possibility that the issue gets reopened for discussion.

THAT alone gets my vote for him! If he can bring Abe to heel and force him out of the LDP and Diet, then he will be, in my opinion, one the the "best" PM's in Japanese history!

How strange.

Every single person I asked recently about this "election" for chief dalek said that no-one would win outright on the first round but Takaichi's supporters would switch to Kishida for the second round and he would win. That's exactly what happened. How remarkable, they must be psychic.

An Abe clone, dynastic politician, silver spoon, Waseda, banker, Aso Taro, Nikai, Yasukuni, blah blah blah, same old, same old.

He likes a drink though, which is about the only interesting thing about him.

my elderly student called it correctly. he said that kono was too 'young' and therefore it would go to kishida. you know japan, no one can jump ahead of the que, no matter how popular they might be.

If you approach elections in such an irresponsible way and more or less just throw your vote to someone, then I don't know if I can say that that speaks volumes about the state of the society here.

Give it to someone just so that he can bring Abe to heel and force him out of the LDP and Diet.....

Irresponsible? Hardly, his goal was and is to force accountability for politicians actions!

If you are of the opinion that is an unworthy reason to vote for someone, then I would say its you that has a problem.

So they're giving Kishida a year before Kono takes it next year. Whatever.

I've been in Japan way to long to think another good ol boy is going to actually do anything good for Japan.

Oh dear

I mean, this is not a one-party state, is it?

It isn't???????????????????????????????

Kishida has pledged to shift from the neoliberal policies of previous administrations

What are these mysterious neoliberal policies I keep hearing about, in Japan?

When I think of neoliberal policies, I think of less government dominance of the economy, less tax as a result, less low-value bureaucratic regulation (as opposed to tinkering and rearranging chairs), and more “liberty” for individuals to live their lives, in general.

I can’t say I have seen anything of the sort in Japan during my time here. Abe for his part did promise that third arrow of structural reform that might have been such a move had the arrow ever been fired - but that was a blank.

In Japan, the government has two plays: spend money, and appoint lackeys to the BOJ who will print money.

Neither of those two plays are neoliberal in any sense.

As always in the LDP the new and the progressive get forward (pure sarcasm)

So much for this ultra conservative mono state nation.

When I think of neoliberal policies, I think of less government dominance of the economy, less tax as a result, less low-value bureaucratic regulation (as opposed to tinkering and rearranging chairs), and more “liberty” for individuals to live their lives, in general.

You forgot to add fewer public services, reduced quality of the public services that survive, no enforcement of workplace safety laws, no enforcement of environmental laws and even their roll back, lower pay, reduced ability to retire, more poverty, more hunger and more homelessness, taxes shifted to the lower tiers of wage earners while taxes are reduced for the wealthy and corporations and the wealthy get even wealthier.

 I'm more used to the kind of democracy where non-apathetic citizens vote for their leaders.

In a parliamentary system the Prime Minister is never directly elected to that post by the public. PMs are members of Parliament chosen by the members of Parliament to serve as their legislative leader. In most cases the PM is chosen from the majority party in Parliament, or the leader of a coalition that commands the majority of seats in a parliament. That person is normally also the leader of the majority party. The members of parliament are the people you vote and a PM also represents a legislative district. They are just another member of parliament, but they are chosen by their peers to be their Prime Minister.

It doesn't matter.

Nippon Kaigi will choose the winner and he will govern according to them

Anyone who thinks the PM runs the country really doesn't understand how things work here

Perhaps Kono can be his translator for the world renowned language of English?

With the election of this unique, inspiring, not-at-all-like-every-other-male-politician candidate, Japan can look forward to all its problems being solved! :/

@Pukey2

”Great, yet another PM which the country didn’t elect “

The poster doesn’t know how parliamentary democracy works. If he did, he wouldn’t have made such a ludicrous comment.

Two female candidates - dropped out of the four-way race earlier in the day.

were they even ever in it?

Was it a ranked ballot so that votes weren't wasted, or were the two female candidates used to spit the balloting?

Kishida's desire to become a politician was caused by the racism he suffered as a child in the United States.

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA248E50U1A920C2000000/

Fumio Kishida's aspiration to become a politician originated in New York, U.S.A., where he spent from the first to third grade of elementary school. Accompanying his father, a bureaucrat, on his assignment, he attended a local public elementary school.

When the class went on a field trip to the zoo, the teacher encouraged them to hold hands next to each other, but the white girl next to Mr. Kishida looked at him disapprovingly. She would not shake the hand I held out to her. It was the first time I experienced racism. When I understood the situation, I made up my mind. I want to end this absurdity.

you chose to live in a conservative country, like it or lump it

What? We are born to the countries we are born to and if they have wretched conservative racist institutions we work to change them. There is no thought of abandoning the nation of my birth to make some miserable right winger happy. I'm a natural born citizen. Deal with it.

If this is democracy, then no, I have no idea. I'm more used to the kind of democracy where non-apathetic citizens vote for their leaders.

What does that have to do with apathy? And which countries are you referring to? Where do they rank on the happiness index in regards to other countries?

This immediately makes me support Konno. Not that my vote would matter in any way though

Yeah but Kono is a taxman. That's a no for me.

I guess the underground compact fusion reactors are going to have to wait!

I know he's Nippon Kaigi, so the remilitarization is there. But as for his economic and social policies he more "liberal left" as LDP Japan member can go. He might have joined Kaigi just for policital advancement like Koike back in the day. As his faction and Hiroshima group is dovish (for obvious reasons) that is a good thing. Hopefully he didn't have to make to many deals with the devil Abe and Takaichi

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/09/08/business/economy-business/fumio-kishida-economic-policies/

I support his trying to give subsidies and cash in pocket to families and has criticized Abenomics.

Try looking at the policies before criticizing (there is things criticize for sure.)

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/key-policies-japans-next-pm-kishida-consensus-builder-2021-09-29/

For those people thinking oh they didn't vote the Kono guy might not be Nippon Kaigi but he's more corrupt and right leaning power hungry type then Kishida he's a "Maverick" Like McCain was a Maverick in name only. He's part of the Aso faction that alone tells me he's business community screw the little guy.

The public here isn't voting CDPJ or Reiwa Shinsen as I hope but this guy is better than Takaichi and Kono. This embarassment in handling Covid and economy and still like an abused lover Japanese keep going LDP #SAD

It’s hard to discern any difference between all of these politicians. None of them have any new ideas or a stance on anything.

How long will the next PM last?

The LDP under Kishida is likely to maintain a majority in the upcoming lower house elections. But overall the ruling party will (have to) be on the defensive. Kishida won't be able to be ambitious as the pandemic responses/post-corona normalization still occupy major issues for his administration.

The key moment is the regular upper house election to be held next summer.

All a big stage, in my opinion. Kishida was the anointed all along. Now, it's just another day in Japan from tomorrow.

@ justasking

Fumio Kishida vs. Yukio Edano

I'm satisfied with either winning, really, both seem like nice choice.

we'll need to hammer out an economic package worth several tens of trillions of yen by the year-end.

Says Kishida (from another source).

Big government socialism from the LDP… or the socialist opposition!

Omedetou gozaimasu, Kisihida-san.

TokyoJoeToday  05:50 pm JST

Now it's over it's back to business, you chose to live in a conservative country, like it or lump it.

No, it's a country stuck with a broken electoral system that heavily favours a conservative minority of aging, stupid, country bumpkins, yokels and rednecks, which the conservatives it keeps in power are never going to fix. I don't suppose you'd know anything about that though.

Nothing will change.

How long will the PM last?

The article says "have to quickly"

Same scenario different face!! Nothing will change. What Japan will see is a merry go round of prime ministers coming in and out. Abe lasted the longest because it was becoming an embarrassment and to save face he stayed the course until he bowed out for the same reason he bowed out the first time!! Nothing will change!!!

Congratulations! Please also work for the foreigners in Japan.

Kono is no no

Serious mistake by the LDP in electing Kishida. This will lead to demobilization of undecided voters on the center-right. Giving a great chance for a joint victory of the PDCJ + Communist Party + Social Democratic Party + Reiwa Shinsengumi. Making Edano Prime Minister.

With the leadership of Kono. The Jimintō could retain a larger number of voters. And thus minimize the more than likely electoral defeat.

It's like if the LDP wants the opposition to win, in the next election.

meiyouwenti:

The poster doesn’t know how parliamentary democracy works. If he did, he wouldn’t have made such a ludicrous comment.

If this is democracy, then no, I have no idea. I'm more used to the kind of democracy where non-apathetic citizens vote for their leaders. Caonimabi.

dears my greetings congratulations welcome to hon'ble New prime minister of Great japan.

In a parliamentary system the Prime Minister is never directly elected to that post by the public. PMs are members of Parliament chosen by the members of Parliament to serve as their legislative leader.

I just found this interesting little piece on Wikipedia regarding the Canadian PM:

Not outlined in any constitutional document, the office exists only per long-established convention (originating in Canada's former colonial power, the United Kingdom) that stipulates the monarch's representative, the governor general, must select as prime minister the person most likely to command the confidence of the elected House of Commons;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Canada

So it appears that the Canadians don't vote for their PM because their PM isn't even a position established in their constitution.

It is enough to look at the photo to get an idea of how different things will be: a number of old men, all dressed alike, no bright colours allowed, no personalities to show, no women afforded a chair, no young faces to be seen. Speaks volumes of what Japan politics is, sadly things will not change until the changes will come from within, from the people, from the streets, from the offices and factories where ordinary Japanese are. Forget this dated elite, you need to go and look for your next leader elsewhere, where people who dare to speak up are. There must be some, somewhere.

Sad to see Mr. Kono not win.

Yes he was part of the LDP but he wanted to bring change. Do it differently.

As you can see it was too much for the LDP to accept.

He had a lot more experience with the outside world, with other leaders. With people of different backgrounds. Good public speaker including in multiple languages.... Sad.

Huh? GO look at the resume of Kishida vs Kono, and just because Kono speaks English doesnt mean he is a better choice. Listen to Kono talk when asked direct questions about policies and how he would handle different situations, he just beats around the bush and never gives a direct answer.

If you think that's the way the LDP should go in the future, we all are in trouble!

Is this any improvement over Suga?

Then, DO something about it @TARATANKITAOKA 9pm:“Nothing will change”. - YOU ‘have a vote’ here.

*“With the current terms of House of Representatives members ending on Oct 21, a nationwide vote must be held by Nov 28. The result will decide whether the former foreign minister will govern with a strong mandate or risk a short tenure.” -*

Another Profile: I'll take the moderate over the Maverick.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/09/4aa8f75875d7-profile-kishida-moderate-faction-chief-long-seen-as-potential-japan-leader.html

Great, yet another PM which the country didn't elect.

Like Suga, a predicted Prime Minister of twelve months more or less!

Will see the same boring LDP debate next year! Ladies thanks for your accompanying,

Mr. Kono don't give up next year!

Conrgatulations, Japan is saved!

Taro Kono wants to acquire american nuclear subs for Japan, anyone who thinks Kishida is worse than him doesn't know what they are talking about.

How long will the next PM last?

1 month and a few weeks until the official election for the house of representatives is completed and he is out. that is if Suga will give up being PM before then he did say he wasn't going to put focus on internal party elections due to the need to focus on covid19 so it wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't step down till the 11th hour....

So incredibly uninspiring.

A choice between the devil and the deep blue sea.

I'm relieved if not overjoyed that the deep blue sea won out. Kono is dangerous, openly bragging that he wants to change the law to enforce lockdowns and vaccine passports. A huge minus for me.

Odds on him lasting over a year? Even money?

Has all the attributes of a stopgap leader.

Arranging deck chairs on the 'JSS Capitalism'.

Unless one of then can reinvent the laws of math, this ship is going down.

They could always try Venezuela or Cuba….

But they want the comforts of capitalism while complaining incessantly about it.

Yawn.

Straight off the hymn sheet.

Like pull toys.

IF You had a “vote” here …. AND, You DON’T. - The Japanese people will live and govern themselves. So, perhaps now, someone can finally stop their DAILY pontificating & pretentiousness at having some seemingly, ‘self-deluded superiority over others’[?], particularly about their self-proclaimed knowledge & experience of “All things JAPAN”? 

- **@Yubara 3:58pm**: “THAT alone gets my vote for him!

There are other working & taxpaying, foreign residents in Japan with equal rights to their opinions on these public forums. Like most of us here enjoying life for what & where we’ve chosen to make it: “Deal with it”.

The more right wing of the two male candidates who it was obviously going to be between.

How depressingly predictable.

Who cares? Kishida's the sort of guy that's kissed all the right boots, while Kono couldn't even handle the vaccine rollout.

So now that Kono, who is very popular among the people, didn't win, I guess DPJ has a chance to steal power?

YubaruToday  03:58 pm JST

Only to you and the folks on JT!

One thing lost in all the noise about nippon kaigi this, or nippon kaigi that, is that Kishida was never a fan of Abe, and strongly supported Abe being forced to face the music about Moritomo Gakuen.

Now that he is PM, there is a strong possibility that the issue gets reopened for discussion.

THAT alone gets my vote for him! If he can bring Abe to heel and force him out of the LDP and Diet, then he will be, in my opinion, one the the "best" PM's in Japanese history!

Do you even know what Nippon Kaigi is, what their program and points are?

If you approach elections in such an irresponsible way and more or less just throw your vote to someone, then I don't know if I can say that that speaks volumes about the state of the society here.

Give it to someone just so that he can bring Abe to heel and force him out of the LDP and Diet.....

I guess Japanese people won't have to learn Chinese after all. Kono Yohei and Taro are both pro Beijing, Taro's promise of regular talks with Beijing during the debate can only mean one thing, Learn Mandarin, quickly.

Now if only someone less eratic can reverse the decision on AEGIS, given Beijing's puppet launched a missile into the sea a couple days ago. Believe what you like, to me, Beijing was trying to warn the LDP rank n file.

Sad to see Mr. Kono not win.

Yes he was part of the LDP but he wanted to bring change. Do it differently.

As you can see it was too much for the LDP to accept.

He had a lot more experience with the outside world, with other leaders. With people of different backgrounds. Good public speaker including in multiple languages.... Sad.

Mr. Kishida I hope you prove me wrong. For our citizens for Japan I hope you are successful in your duties and everything you do.

Good, anyone but Kono

I'm willing to bet its going to be Kishida. Kono is not Nippon Kaigi. No way they are going to let him become PM.

“And how would Kishida have run the country over the past year? Just like Suga! Well, at least Kishida’s not Suga!” said the ignorant man.

WHAT?!

They chose a MAN???

I prefer Kishida to Kono.

But best choice for me is Riki Takeuchi.

Still pretending like Kono might not get it. Kawaiiiiiiiijii

Taro Kono or a Nippon Kaigi's puppet? Does not matter since the US controls either one.

At least, I prefer Taro Kono because he isn't dumb and insane like the Nippon Kaigi.