politics

LDP gearing up for leader's race; Abe eyes constitutional revision

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Photo op, playing to the heart strings of people. Abenomics is clearly not working.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Obvious photo op he'll be gone soon though.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Aaahhh yes, the old put on my brand new natural disaster suit that will never come in contact with a speck of dirt and go around and shake hands while the cameras are around and act like I really give a damn about these people in hopes of boosting my ratings so I can continue my reign as a puppet prime minister !!!!

excellent plan ABBY:-/

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Renouncing peace is reckless for any PM, a war criminal act.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

The photo op is annoying but it's politics 101. Even his reconstruction plan will no doubt benefit most of these people. If the LDP knows one thing it's the doken kokka construction state. What concerns me more is that in virtually every other area--normalizing the military, tax increases, labor reforms--he will worsen these people's lives.

That there's a virtual stranglehold on power and debate in this country is what's most depressing--what are the alternative visions, where are the checks on power. Every problem seemingly has only one possible solution, the conservative/neoliberal LDP view.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

jcapanToday  07:28 am JST

That there's a virtual stranglehold on power and debate in this country is what's most depressing--what are the alternative visions, where are the checks on power. Every problem seemingly has only one possible solution, the conservative/neoliberal LDP view.

They've got all the money and connections they need to stitch up the elections, unfortunately, and it looks like no one else in the LDP has the same clout with the Diet rank and file as Abe. Why they gave him another chance after 2007 I cannot possibly imagine.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Simon, agreed. What's discouraging is how much energy is directed at eliminating Abe, as if the person replacing him is likely to be any better. Which faction or rotating villain takes the helm of the LDP doesn't much interest me. Noda or Ishiba or even a conservative from a different brand (Koike) isn't going to bring about change either, at least not for the better. The fragmented opposition without a clear vision beyond being anti-Abe, at least as documented in the media, is the real problem.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

That photo op! Just about as soothing as seeing him in a Mario costume.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Every time there is an opinion poll and we see how many people support the LDP one of their main reasons is that they state there is no alternative. But if the people just keep blindly voting for the LDP, of course there is no opposition. I watched Edano's speech on Friday, not all 2 hours 43 minutes, but he is an intelligent man with good ideas. But for some strange reason, nobody will give his party a chance. And why, because they unfortunately held power when a terrible natural disaster struck, and it seems a lot of people blame what happened after on the Democratic Party of Japan.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

And 7 years later we'll be reading about the mass number of people still living in shelters. Instead of building casinos, how about rebuilding the towns effected by the disasterS. (Capital 'S' not a typo)

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Massive judicial reform is required in Japan.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Massive judicial reform is required in Japan.

Massive reform of pretty much everything is required. The judicial system, the political system, farming, the education system, the health, welfare and pension system, the large-scale infrastructure plan system; the list is long. None will happen though because all contribute to the LDP and their cronies remaining in power.

Why they gave him another chance after 2007 I cannot possibly imagine.

Because he ticks all the right boxes, particularly with the US State Department.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

What Mark said about Edano. To his credit, he seems more concerned with forming ideologically cohesive party than past opposition parties (e.g. Minshutou). Now if all the liberal minded lawmakers would coalesce into a single force things might improve. The numbers would still initially be pretty small but a unified voice of opposition and consistent expression of values would sure help to create a more viable democracy.

I'd add that it wasn't just 3/11 that undid the Minshutou by the way. Hatoyama, impractical manifesto notw/standing, had the rug pulled out from under him by the Obama administration from the word go.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

really not much different than China's media fawning over their DearLeader too. LDP in power again huh. And again. And again...

I don't see how a one party state is a democracy

7 ( +8 / -1 )

That is a rather snazzy disaster shirt. The patch on the sleeve appears to read "内閣" - cabinet.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

MarkXToday 08:08 am JST

Every time there is an opinion poll and we see how many people support the LDP one of their main reasons is that they state there is no alternative. But if the people just keep blindly voting for the LDP, of course there is no opposition. I watched Edano's speech on Friday, not all 2 hours 43 minutes, but he is an intelligent man with good ideas. But for some strange reason, nobody will give his party a chance.

In at least some places no one has an opportunity to give the CDP a chance: I think they were the least useless and most ideologically coherent opposition party in the last election, but they only had 63 candidates compared to the LDP's 277. The Communists could only manage 206 and they only got 12 elected, so as much as I hate to say it I think they would be better off scaling back on their Diet campaigns and the 4 or so million people who voted for them should back the CDP next time.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Revision of the constitution is needed not to enable JSDF join and help the U.S. Forces to defend Japan in conflict but to let JSDF alone enable defend the country by itself.  We do not want Japan involved in fight with other asian countries.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Japan doesn't hold its own independence the way people imagine it. As a semi-occupied country, its politics will always be decided by the US. Parties which propose improving relations with China or cutting on the number of US bases have obviously no chance. I don't think it's fair to lament the inertness of the locals for something they have little say about. Abe and the LDP are like the appointed governor of this territory, they're not going to change in foreseeable future, and I must admit Abe was very smart to be the first one to go and flatter Trump after the US elections. This literally guaranteed his seat.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

In the eyes of China and other asian countries, Japan is a "banana" their skins yellow but white inside.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

In the eyes of China and other asian countries, Japan is a "banana" their skins yellow but white inside.

Any credible links to back that statement up?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Abesan really really wants this doesn’t he. So much more than anything else. Nice photo op btw.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saying constitutional revision will be a major issue in the election."

If that's the main reason he is still governing Japan. He should re-read again the Constitution to change the human-right items as much as he will change the delicate issues of military JSDF. We live in a country where human-right is one of the principles of the Constitution, the items he will revise isn't a good point for this Constitution principles, and it will be against the citizen rights when step by step nobody won't be against his revised items it will be forced to be normal. Does he want to be the future generations history textbook or not? I don't care.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

2018 July flood in western Japan is like Japan version Hurricane-Katrina.

Japanese Abe Government had underestimated Caution from Weather Agency,had enjoyed drinking party at day 1 of disaster,and had been late to correspond disaster.

They may be one of cause expansion of damage.

Responsible person has repeated obvious excuse.

Many Evacuation places seem to have no TV or Internet,

Sufferers of this disaster cannot know many infromation including this issue.

Weakened Japanese major media still hesitate even to mention this issue,

They only report disaster itself or other topics.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Abe Government has insisted : We are using full power to respond disaster.

but Japan Government and Ruling Party LDP prioritized Steamrolling of problematic bills such as Casino bills than coping with disaster.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Excellent news. Only PM Abe has the experience, skills and leadership to run Japan. Its His job for as long as he wants. Dont believe any of the other candidates.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Scandals, corruption and a lack of empathy with the common man or woman are the hallmarks of this party and its followers.

Japan desperately needs change, for the good of the people and the health of the nation.

Don't make this man PM for life.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Japanese really needs to find an alternative against Abe & his LDP cohorts

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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