Abe heads to Africa, Middle East with cash pledges

Abe goes to Russia, gives them money and asks them not to sell Suhoi-35 to China, then goes to Turkey, gives them money and ask them not to buy China's anti-missile systems, and then goes to India, gives them money, and asked them to do joint Navy exercises against China, and then goes to Africa, gives them money and ask them not to do business with China. Not to mention the free naval ships to Philippines and Vietnam.

It's all about China containment. One always wondered what Obama meant in "pivot to Asia" since not much real actions came out it. Now we know, Japan is doing that for the US. Japan really is the foot solider of the US.

It's certainly expensive with all that Japanese bribe money being spread around, Japanese are not exactly that rich, but will it achieve any useful purpose? Or is it just stimulating China's own military and diplomatic developments, which is ultimately anti-US? What does Japan get out it all?

Maybe the argument is: if Japan didn't try, then they'd be accused of doing nothing.

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/news/140108/chn14010822420007-n1.htm

Lol. Chinese Foreign Ministry quick to criticize Abe's visit to Africa.

Abe is just going to visit Africa, Middle East, wherever for business expansions, as much as possible. It seems that Abe would not say other states "Not to do it then money gift in return" unlike China.

Abe is going in order to drive a wedge between China and the African states involved. In the ten years since 2000, China has invested 7.5 trillion yen in funds 50 African countries. This is several times that of Japan's amount.

Beijing is criticised in some corners for what is sometimes seen as little more than a resources grab, and for not linking investment with demands for improved human rights or more transparent governance in recipient countries.

Right. We just know that Japan is going to go out of its way for human rights and government transparency. Sure. Cause you know, Japan's government secrecy law was all about the need for transparency!

What this is really about is the Devil you know and the Devil you don't know.

funny carJan. 09, 2014 - 09:26AM JST Right. We just know that Japan is going to go out of its way for human rights and government transparency. Sure. >Cause you know, Japan's government secrecy law was all about the need for transparency!

Actually Japan is active in terms of international human rights, having been a members of the UN Commission on Human Rights since 1982. Whereas China is only famous for depriving their own citizens of it. As for Japan's recent secrecy law it is what other nations, including China, have had for decades. And we know "transparency" is not a Chinese trait.

Another BIG aspect of all this is that it is a MASSIVE corporate welfare project!!

All this money will be fed into Japan Inc & tons of politicians will be getting back the typical thick brown envelopes full of $$$

But hey Africa gets a couple roads & stuff out of it!

As for Japan's recent secrecy law it is what other nations, including China, have had for decades.

The problem being that Japan's secrecy laws have absolutely no checks and balances. Any government office can make anything secret, with no oversight.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe leaves for Africa and the Middle East on Thursday, bearing development cash pledges as Tokyo pushes back against growing Chinese influence in the resource-rich region.

Because, you know, everything is great back at home right?

How about this, he doesn't go there, he doesn't pledge all this money and in April he doesn't raise our taxes? It's a good idea I think...

Abe is the Automatic Banking Machine for Africa, South Asia and South East Asia. However he is not generous to Japanese homeless and unemployed army.

Given that these loans are denominated in dollars and that the yen has fallen more than 35% (!) against its 2013 highs against the dollar, Abe could have spent a lot less of the taxpayers' money had he not devalued his own currency so catastrophically over the past year.

Hes likely trying to muscle his way in on what is increasingly becoming Chinas turf

China already heavily invest on Africa but this continent is so much underdeveloped that there is plenty room for Abe to make Japan another strong investor in Africa.

The desperate man is trying to look busy bribing and currying favour to support his misdeeds. Whatever happened to Fukushima? Has the secrets act reduced the attention it should be getting? Where should the country's money be prioritized and not wasted by a prodigal son?

Very expensive tour. Japan have given many free war ship to many other developing nations before.

As long as people keep buying government bonds and "securities", the sky is the limit for governments to pledge money they really do not have.

Where's the money coming from ? What will be the benefit for the Japanese peoples ? And, talking of money, what's been done to-date with all that money that so many people contributed to following the 2011 Natural disaster ?

Ossan: "As for Japan's recent secrecy law it is what other nations, including China, have had for decades. And we know "transparency" is not a Chinese trait."

So, you're proud of the fact Japan is becoming more like China? At least you don't deny it.

As for Abe, you really have the love the lies this guy thinks people are going to lap up. Ummm... yeah, you "visit Yasukunia to pledge peace", and want dialogue and improved relations with China and South Korea by going all over the globe to isolate the former via cash bribes! What a crock!

Good grief, does the Japanese government have $577 million to give to Mozambique?

Wait, they will, when the consumption tax goes up to 8%! Or will they? The economy might take a steep dive after April...

Cool! Keep doing it Abe!

It's a contribution to reduce poverty outside Japan!

This is basically an indirect form of stimulus, as it creates or will create more consumers for Japanese products.

Jeff, thank you, says China.

Except a few on the upper end, those consumers will likely end up buying inexpensive Chinese products because that is what they can afford.

May be Japan can send its people over there to work after the taxes go up and the local consumptions fade.