politics

Abe, Obama discuss importance of alliance

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He's pretty quick to to ensure the US will back him on the China issue. What happened to changing Article 9? Not even officially PM and already backing out on issues from his campaign?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

In a humorous moment, Abe got his U.S. leaders mixed up, when he told business chiefs he had been speaking to “President Bush.”

Yeah, hilarious. Abe's stuck on autopilot.

All these right-wing guys are living in a cold-war world, when what Japan needs is to embrace a global world.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

What's wrong with Abe's policy guys?

TRADE, FOREIGN POLICY AND SECURITY

Strengthen Japan's alliance with the United States and bolster the defence budget and military capabilities to better protect Japanese territory.

Revise the constitution to make clear Japan's right to maintain a military.

Oppose Japan's participation in talks on the US-led trade pact, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, if Japan is required to accept unconditional removal of tariff barriers.

ECONOMY, FISCAL POLICIES

Achieve nominal economic growth of 3 per cent or more with top priority on exiting deflation and a strong yen.

Set a clear-cut inflation target of 2 percent. In order to achieve this; create a framework for strengthening cooperation between the government and the Bank of Japan, including the possible revision of the BOJ law to carry out bold monetary easing.

ENERGY

Decide on Japan's best energy mix within 10 years.

Complete decisions on whether to restart idled nuclear reactors within three years.

EDUCATION

Revitalise Japan's education system to achieve top level academic capability, cultivate morals and respect for Japan's history and culture
3 ( +5 / -2 )

Not really Thomas, what I'm trying to say is that on paper it's not much different from many a politician.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Let me add and tired ofthe DPJ failing in their efforts and letting someone like Ozawa (who should be in jail and thrown to rot) take over the plot for so long. For failing to address and issues affecting the economy and the country and for pissing about in foreign policy. If Abe is right wing so be it. I'm japanese and have lived in HK due to wrk for so long, that I'm sick and tired of this posturing by China on Japan and Senkaku (not Diaoyu...SENKAKU). If Abe is willing to stand up to revilitilise Japan and let him have a go. Like I said, 6 months agao I would said no way to him, but the alternativeof the DPJ again, no thanks.

So he's cozing up to the US, so what? Article 1 of the Security Treaty of 1951 expressly states that Japan grants, and the United States of America accepts, the right, upon the coming into force of the Treaty of Peace and of this Treaty, to dispose United States land, air and sea forces in and about Japan. Such forces may be utilized to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East and to the security of Japan against armed attack from without, including assistance given at the express request of the Japanese Government to put down largescale internal riots and disturbances in Japan, caused through instigation or intervention by an outside power or powers.

With such language, why wouldn't he reach out to the US??? Like any prime Minister in Japan has done so since coming into office.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

obama: hello, my friend! (lend us more money)

abe: hello, my friend! (pls neuter china)

2 ( +4 / -2 )

So Abe is already making gaffes but a day into his leadership.

Abe: Mr. Bush, please save us from China! I want to stick it to them, but can't without your defense!

Obama: Ummm... Bush was president 5 Prime Ministers ago.

Abe: That's what I said, Mr. Bush. Help us! My tummy hurts!!

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Well said, Serrano. My mother's a sufferer and it's a horrible thing to have to put up with.

That said, politically, Abe's a complete tw*t which diminishes my sympathy somewhat.

And I'm sure smith didn't mean to be deliberately mean. Doesn't come across as the type, going on previous posts.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Abe and his cohorts in the LDP kept telling the nation that the DPJ administrations starting with Hatoyama worsened the Japan-U.S. relations, so that the LDP's primary goal he says is to repair the damaged bilateral relationship first and foremost. Sounds great.

But why did the Japan-U.S. relations deteriorate under the DPJ administrations? It's because Japan under the Hatoyama government tried to dip into an independent course free from Washington's meddling for the first time in 64 years since the end of WW II. That angered Washington like mad.

When Abe says the Japan-U.S. relations are most important, he may mean Japan must not anger the U.S. and follow faithfully what is dictated by Washington. We in Okinawa are therefore very closely watching how his government will deal with this U.S. military realignment especially involving the Futenma relocation issue.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@OssanAmericaDec. 19, 2012 - 12:40AM JST

Nothing wrong with the LDP back in the seat and Abe becoming PM again. If it gets China, China supporters and sundry J-bashers all gent out of shape, all the better.

US has benefited from the tension between the two Asian giants not only politically but economically, AND US will never put herself in the spot where Japan has been recently. US has not allowed Japan and South Korea to bicker too much about their territorial disputes but backs up Japan when the other side is China (but not Russia). If Japan thinks this is a good spot, good luck. Whether China likes it or not, it won't matter until some years down the road.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Not in position yet and mishaps started already?

Who he spoke to after all? Bush or Obama !

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"he had been speaking to "President Bush"

Ah, the good ol' days when U.S. gov't debt was still below $11 trillion and the average unemployment rate was around 5-6%.

"Abe's stuck on autopilot"

Never misspoke, eh? I am envious.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Sarrano - do you ever think this guy should be held to a little higher standard than people like me or smithinjapan or any other clown on the street? He was just given a second chance that he didn't deserve, and he was given that chance by a huge margin. He should be a bit more meticulous.

Your comment about his disease isn't valid, either. This is a major factor in his ability to do his job...not because of the limits of the disease, but because he quit from it once before.

Keep making excuses for him, like the voters did, and watch him act with entitlement.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

... this reminds me of Bush, and given the current tensions that is NOT a good thing. Bush managed to almost start WW3 (and Obama's still sorting out the mess). Oh well, hopefully Abe will follow the typical Japanese PM pattern and resign after a year.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In a face of a confident China, Abe said a closer link with the United States would serve as a foundation for Tokyo to gain stronger diplomatic influence

Many in China are still hopeful Abe will tone down a bit more when he officially takes up the title of the comb-back kid.

Korea seems to feel the same as China if one is to trust their press, yet all eyes are on China only.

Thanks to US objection, Japan can not even fulfill its promise to file the case of Dokdo/Takashima to ICJ (by the end of last October). One more reason to toughen up toward China, then.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Election is over and Abe should stop beating the war drum. Japan needs some good sustainable economic policies for Business and citizen. Extend a friendly hand to China, resolve this impasse and move on for the benefit of both Countries. You only need alliance if you are not confident and capable of protecting your country

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"importance of US alliance" for Abe means "doing what the US tells us to do". Which means being pro-nuclear, pro-TPP, pro-tax hike.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

They wrote "Abe" aa "Abey" in the article, LOL. Im surprised they didnt bring up all the okinawan fuss.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Obama "reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace and security in the region"

Right.

Just like in the Middle East!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

kevininjapanDec. 19, 2012 - 01:42AM JST @OssanAmericaDec. 19, 2012 - 12:40AM JST "Nothing wrong with the LDP back in the seat and Abe becoming PM again. If it gets China, China supporters and sundry J-bashers all bent out of shape, all the better."

US has benefited from the tension between the two Asian giants not only politically but economically, AND US will >never put herself in the spot where Japan has been recently.

The US has indeed benefited. But the US stands to benefit more, as does all of Asia and even China itself, if China were not aggessively trying to expand her territorial bundaries. So I fail to see your point. And where has Japan been recenty? The US has made it clear that we will not let China take the Senkakus by military force. Isn't that the same position that Japan takes?

US has not allowed Japan and South Korea to bicker too much about their territorial disputes but backs up Japan >when the other side is China (but not Russia).

No the U.S. considers the four northern islands to be Japanese territory taken by the USSR and presently occupied by Russia. So does the UK and the EU. But the circumstances there are not the same as China's current territorial disputes with many of it's neighbors.

If Japan thinks this is a good spot, good luck.

Hae no idea what you mean.

Whether China likes it or not, it won't matter until some years down the road.

I disagree, It matters right now in that the extent to which Japan resists China's aggression will affect and dictate to a great extent how other Asian nations will deal with China's aggression. It is as much an obstacle to China's aenda as is the United States.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"He ( Abe ) was just given a second chance that he didn't deserve"

Apparently the majority of voters disagree.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In a humorous moment, Abe got his U.S. leaders mixed up, when he told business chiefs he had been speaking to “President Bush.”

humorous moment = omoshiroi ? this is not Yoshimoto Comedy theater. LDP should reconsider their choice for PM.....!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

What's wrong with Abe's policy guys?

Was that meant to be ironic?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

smith: "Abe: That's what i said, Mr. Bush. Help us! My tummy hurts!!"

I see smith has never suffered from or knows anyone who has ever suffered from ulcerative colitis.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

I am amazed by the "autopilot" of people here to attack Abe with little knowledge of his actual policies. He is conservative but not R wing. His economic policies are not so different from those of many European countries or US. He is not pro-TPP or Pro tax hike as long as the Japanese economy stays deflationary

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

tomoki, you could not be more wrong. The man is extremely right-wing and xenophobic. He is also on record claiming the 'comfort women' incidents never happened.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20728387

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Nothing wrong with the LDP back in the seat and Abe becoming PM again. If it gets China, China supporters and sundry J-bashers all gent out of shape, all the better.

http://www.stripes.com/news/bilateral-distrust-between-us-china-at-an-all-time-high-1.201025

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

And I'm sure smith didn't mean to be deliberately mean. Doesn't come across as the type, going on previous posts.

"I can hear his stomach rumbling from here" and "Uncle Enteritis" are his latest works. And of course, you got the typical "right wing" label straight from the lazy Western media sources whose expat journalists can't even write their own name and address in the host country's language.

These writers are incompetant and lazy for them it's too difficult to analyze the policies even though the economic policies are very similar to what U.S. and Eurozone had done after Lehman shock. (QE, debt monetizing).

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

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