politics

Abe hosts Mugabe as Tokyo vies for influence in Africa

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Surprised they let Mugabe fly!

12 ( +12 / -0 )

“By closely coordinating with Mr Mugabe… we wish to help promote reform”

"Constructive engagement."

Anyways, there is another article here today about yet another proposed spending bill to stimulate the economy. Part of the three arrows I suppose. In short, the third time Japan has tried this since the bubble burst back in 89.

And with the same results.

Look, if Abe wants to have sway over development in Africa, try really improving Japan's economic muscle and not play paddy cake with notorious hoodlums.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

"If Adolf Hitler flew in today, they'd send a limousine anyway". Joe Strummers words very applicable here.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan. Still finding herself on the wrong side of history yet again.

18 ( +19 / -1 )

This is a joke no? I know the former Zimbabwe Ambassador to Japan and he told me the roads in Zimbabwe are excellent. So the old fox Magabe has had Abe's pants down on the road issues. A new palace on the cards paid for by Japan.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

All symbolic, Mugabe will probably be dead within the year

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Abe and Mugabe.

Birds of a feather.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Meanwhile if Abe had snubbed Mugabe we'd have the comments whining about Abe being a puppet of Washington. Can't win.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Leader of a failed nation being courted and having his 92 year old backside kissed by the leader of a fail-ing nation.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Abe you have no shame

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Its not a matter of birds of feather flocks together,its a matter of interests Japan has to take care of.China is everywhere in Africa on all levels.Abe is doing what should be done.International relations based of interests,not colorful ideas.Abe is a smart wise far eye sight prime minister.Since long time ago we havent seen such an exceptional Japanese prime minister like Abe Shinzo.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

You keep saying that, yet you have never actually provided an example of what he has done.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Stragerland

First,what against welcoming Mugabe,and keeping Japan interests as China doing?If Abe didnt do others will do.I know personally what does China do in every corner in Africa.Japan has to keep competition with China around clock and on all levels.2nd,didnt Abe prove he is very wise far eye sight concerning his policy towards migrants and refugees? 3rd,isnt he right when calling for revising constitution(article9),not only because of Trump announcements,but also about Obama policy as well? About economy,its not that right or wrong,black or white,its complicated issue,lots of affects out of his hands,like chilly world economy,China crisis,strong yen,etc. its not as easy as some posts show recommendations of what should or should be done,easy say!

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

what against welcoming Mugabe

A dictator?

and keeping Japan interests as China doing?

What does this mean?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Whoa, Robert Mugabe? Nobody could do a Google search before inviting this man? Couldn't get an intern to read a Wikipedia page? Sigh.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Strangerland

In politics interests speak louder,what has Abe to do whether he is a dictator or Noble prize award?Why America and Europe deal with Karimov,president of Uzbakistan though Mugabe compared to him,is an angel?I can give you dozens of examples if you wish,its simply interests(business,oil,investments,political or military ally,war on terror,etc)speak louder.How about Hillary Clinton when served as secretary of foreign affairs,has been asked"why dont you raise Human rights abusing with Chinese"?She answered"How can you talk tough to your banker" You see its not Abe who invented this policy!

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Mugabe was a darling of the West in the late 70s. Now there is just distaste.

I like to compare him to Lee Kwan Yu of Singapore, though Singapore did not ever fall apart.

Strong-man government is one thing, but as dcog9065 points out Mugabe could be dead in a year (he is not healthy now). Then what is Zimbabwe to have, another strong-man for the next 40 years again? Democracy despite its failings at least is a process for enabling political and regime change without a blood bath.

Makes no difference to Abe, Japan (nor China) - just business as usual with the local strong-men while pursuing agendas of playing their 'great game' in Africa.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Kurumazaka If we take it from pragmatic,practical point of view,Abe did the right thing on the favor of Japan interests,but if we take from absolute human rights and democracy values,Abe will not deal with any of Middle East,Africa(except S.Africa),Central Asia,let alone Afganistan,Pakistan,even China,yes?Can you imagine how the situation will be for Japan interests?Who can afford that?noway even America and Europe.Abe is not behaving in a friendly personal way,but as a prime minister of Japan,we have to consider this.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Mr Hyperinflation Mugabe of all people. Is Abe and his cronies devoid of any intellectual sense? Mugabe who singled handed destroyed the country's built up infrastructure and economy, illegally and forcibly seized and redistributed commercial farms among his cronies who didn't know anything and disinterested about farming killing the industry and its main source of export revenue and what made it's bulk GDP.

Well done Abe, who's next?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I am disgusted that my taxes are being used to pay to entertain this international pariah.

Shame on you, Abe. Shame.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Mugabe, and that mug, Abe.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Disgusting

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kurumazaka;

As you showed and explained fairly,there are interests for Japan on different levels.I like to deal with politics as it is,not as it should be,this is politics.What about if Abe didnt give a clue about Mugabe,how will be the situation?simply,China will be more generous with Mugabe.Does it make any difference with Mugabe in this case?not a clue. Why it is that big deal when Abe do it,but nothing when all the world do?China is in every corner in Africa,but where is Japan?Abe is doing the right thing for favor of Japan.He is the first eye catching Japanese prime minister.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

^ Seriously, who's paying this guy?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

We Africans can hardly prosper because we have no financial discipline. We keep revolving around the globe with begging bowls for misplaced priorities. Let Mugabe try it exceptionally different this time round for the sake of his suffering citizens. Well done Japan.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

What China offers African countries like Zimbabwe is low-tech construction projects and lots of cheap labour to implement them. Apart from selling commodities which would be sold anyway on the global markets (though perhaps with slightly less stable buyers), the Africans don't get much out of it. So I don't think Japan should be looking to compete with China for that kind of influence, despite the fervent protestations of our fellow poster ghoneim mohamed.

On the other hand, Mugabe is an absolute pariah on the world stage, for very good reasons. Grave error by Abe here.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Theeastisred

Am afraid you are mistaken.What China offers African countries,a lot of infrastructures,loans for long terms for a very low rate of interest.agriculture technology,developing their industry,technical aids in all fields.The most important they dont put any conditions on cooperating with them.On the other hands they gain massive business with Africa,and very good influences on decision making.A simple visit to any African countries can show what i mention clearly,or ask Africans,they can tell you more details,thats what Japan should do.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Nah, wrong there. I'm not the one on the 'soft power' payroll.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I feel like Snoopy reading "The Bunnies," "Ha Ha Ha Ha, Hooo Hooo Hooo"

I suppose Abe is going to ask Mugabe for some economic advice? He seems to have been following Mugabe's economic policies for the past two years. Perhaps he will give Mugabe a position with Kuroda in the BOJ? But I don't think even Mugabe went so far as to implement negative rates, or have the government of Zimbabwe sell debt to itself.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I wonder what Abe is up to, Mugabe is a great friend of North Korea!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ghoneim,

Do you think China is doing those things you say it is doing in Africa for the Africans, or for itself? By not providing local jobs but rather having colonies of Chinese workers keeping to themselves, the beneficial impact on local economy is minimised and resentment at the 'invaders' maximised. So again, Japan is much better off staying out of that game.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

China has invested highly in Africa in terms of infrastructure. At the same time, most of China's products have found their way into Africa at affordable prices despite their low standard due to the harsh economic conditions the continent is experiencing. To many, quality is no longer a factor.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Theeastisred,

For sure China is looking for its interests,nothing against that.Every other countries do the same,its not charity,but China is doing what other do not do,such as giving big loans African countries need badly without strict condition,but in return of numerous benefits and gains.Chinese citizens there are not hunting native people jobs or works,but they are making business,selling their products to markets need it badly,its opening new markets in a promising markets.No the impact on local economy is not minimized as you think.Who else will do what China is doing?No one!Thats why they welcome China,but most important they dont give them lectures about Human rights and democracy.Japan made very good policy with India,it worked well and succeeded,the same has to be done in Africa.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Abe and China ib Africa ... sounds Oriental wisdom.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday welcomed Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe

Just in case there are people who don't know who Mugabe is, this might give some idea:

Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s nonagenarian tyrant ruling for the better of three decades, ordered the killing of more than 20,000 members of the Ndebele ethnic minority in Zimbabwe in the early 1980s, when he was still merely Prime Minister. The genocide is known as the “Gukurahundi,” meaning “the early rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rains.” While he was widely believed to have orchestrated the mass killings, it was not until this month that reports revealed he gave the deadly special troops tasked with the genocide “explicit” orders to act it out. The Fifth Brigade– Mugabe’s killing squads– were trained by North Korea.

What is Abe thinking?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thank you Bertie san. I didn't know who he is. Mr. Abe has to be very careful. I don't want any Japanese sent there to join his massacres

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bertie wooster I can give much horrible details than you gave,i believe you know nothing about,for instance,Karimov of Uzbakstan,search about on Google,and read the valuable book of former British ambassador to Uzbakistan Graig Murray"Murder in Samarkand"you will be well informative,though America,and Europe mainly have good relations with him,its again interests not friends as Kissinger said before.What we can say on personal levels is up to everyone,but when we are in power-like Abe-no one is free to do or say what he wants,but he has to stick to his country interests.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Its not about worse or better,i just gave an example,but if you read my above posts you will see i mentioned all Middle East,Africa(except S.Africa),central Asia,Afghanistan,Pakistan,etc.I believe Saudi located in Middle East,yes?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ghoneim, Just because China doesn't care if its partners are murderous tyrants, that doesn't mean Japan shouldn't aim higher.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Theeastisred, Its not only China,but the whole world around,for example,after American-Iranian nuclear deal,all of a sudden States and Europe mainly,hurried up to Iran to get as much as they can from business and investment cake,they forget all reports issued before about Human rights,even Italy covered its naked statues when President Rohani visited Roma,because business speak louder,When they asked President Rohani about it,he answered"we didnt ask them to do that,but its good anyway".What do you call this?Didnt France welcomed Ghaddafi of Lybia before and allowed him to build his famous tent in the palace,though he was one of the most brutal tyrants?!As you see China is not alone,its the whole world,no exception.Japan is a part of this world,no one should blame when Abe do like others to keep Japan interests,isnt that fair?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If you think Mugabe is a great guy, you are very welcome to keep on thinking that. Let us know when you wake up. The statue covering episode was ridiculed most loudly in Italy itself.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If you think Mugabe is a great guy

Where did ghoneim say that?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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