Abe's approval ratings rise in Japan after hostage crisis

War hero!

This happens to unpopular leaders whenever a crisis happens. It Happened with Bush on 911 and more recently with Valls.

We should not misinterpret this. It tells us something about the japanese people, not about Abe.

What did he do? Did i miss something?

You can fool some of the people, some of the time - but you can fool most of the people, most of the time.

The data indicates that Abe succeeded! He succeeded at capitalizing on a tragic incident for his own political gain. This shows he is a master manipulator of public sentiment and savvy politician. A leader?

I think Abe handled the hostage crisis as well as any leader could have done. Generally, I support most of his policies and I think he is doing a good job for Japan.

But these poll results really must stick in the craw of the Abe-haters and Japan-bashers on Japan Today, who perhaps don't know as much about Japanese politics (and Japanese society) as they think they do.

How could this be? He was to responsible for the entire crisis to begin with. Or so we've been told ad nauseum here at JT...

Brainiac

But these poll results really must stick in the craw of the Abe-haters and Japan-bashers on Japan Today, who perhaps don't know as much about Japanese politics (and Japanese society) as they think they do.

I totally agree, its a reality check if not a kick in the teeth for the Abe haters, how could Abe or any other leader have done anything differently ? And I know some of you still blindly blame him for what happened, but a good leader knows that you never let others dictate tour policies or when you announce them, especially terrorists, kidnappers, murders and criminals.

I could be described and an Abe-hater. I think he's been horrible for the country. But that said, he dealt with the hostage situation properly. Had he done anything else, he would have been bashed just as much. So ignoring the fact that it's Abe who handled it, and looking objectively at how it was handled, it was dealt with well.

browny1 at Feb. 09, 2015 - 08:23AM JST You can fool some of the people, some of the time - but you can fool most of the people, most of the time.

Except in Japan, you actually can fool all the people, all the time. They have been doing it since forever, and the band just marches on... More of the same.

I find the Japanese to be an uninformed bunch. They don't know very much of the world, they don't understand it. It's all one big scary kaigai. It probably gives most of the locals a warm, fuzzy feeling of security when Abe, the Man, steps up and tells people what is what.

Readers, please do not use this thread to insult the Japanese people.

The killings of the hostages have fanned calls to allow Japan’s long-constrained military to conduct overseas rescue missions as part of Abe’s push for a more muscular security posture.

I'm not exactly sure which countries with a NON-constrained military think a purpose of their military is to rescue private citizens who have put themselves in a dangerous situation and managed to get themselves kidnapped. But I guess if you want to tie these events to Article 9, then you are just going to that, logic be damned.

i think people supported the fact that he didn't rush to do something idiotic, and they stand behind the aid given to the middle east. and it's a good sign that a large majority did not want any type of military reprisal.

and the japanese are just as informed as the average joe in any country, no more, no less, Knox.

@StormR

I totally agree, its a reality check if not a kick in the teeth for the Abe haters, how could Abe or any other leader have done anything differently ?

Not sure some of those you mention are familiar with the concept of reality, but true that nobody could have done much else.

I have to wonder of this rise in popular favor with the Diet and Abe as "surveyed 1,054 people by telephone on Friday and Saturday for the poll" is not an equal or substantial number representing a majority of voters sentiments right now and clearly identifies a "favored" trend of only those few who are making decisions for Japan or especially and favorably selected to participate in such polls. As a taxpayer and voter I vote the latter. This was not an issue to have been mixed up in from the beginning as a country since the two individuals were there for personal and company representatives not government official duty. The responsibility lay with themselves and their company not the government. Mr. Abe nor those supporting him show no clear interest in the well being of our economy, urban development, crisis management in Sendai areas or fixing the Fukushima issues. Instead he continues to push for increased militarization of your youngsters and involve the country in non-government matters like spending yen outside the country where it is needed the most right now all for the hope of using fear mongering in order to change the Japan Constitution entirely to favor the government as a single empire and the people become its slaves.

This happens to unpopular leaders whenever a crisis happens. It Happened with Bush on 911 and more recently with Valls.

For now. But once the crisis has subsided and normalcy returns, they're back on the public spit list!!

>The Japanese government scored higher public approval ratings for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s handling of the hostage crisis involving two Japanese captured in Syria and killed by Islamic State militants

This is very hard to accept. What did Abe do? He only succeded in looking like a tough guy and a compassionate leader at the same time, which is totally a sham. Isn't Abe the one who helped create the crisis in the first place by his careless choice of words in his annoucement to give 200 million dollars in the region?

So, the Yomiuri and Kyodo, controlled by the government, polled a certain number of its readers? So, 58% or so of 1,058 out of a land of 125 million or so, and how many did Kyodo poll? That's not even close to Abe's 'majority' win of the last election, where he got a small fraction of the nation's vote.

In any case, agree with a poster above -- he did indeed handle the capitalization on the crisis well. He also handled the part where he provoked IS extremely well. After that he didn't do anything at all, so this poll of 58% of 0.002% of the population or what have you isn't really proof that 'he handled things well' on the whole at all.

So both hostages are executed, Japan is brought closer to terrorism and his popularity has gone up? Am I missing something about Abe?

It appears you're missing the part that Japanese people seem to approve with his handling of the situation.

After reading such comments, I usually recall the following quote: When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. You might want to think what your comment tells you about yourself :)

You should take your own advice here, the comment is based upon observation, YOU chose to consider it as a judgement. I happen to agree with the observation as it IS, sarcastic end notwithstanding, to be an accurate statement about the general public.

JaneM, it's me who wonders about your knowledge of Japan and it's people.

I think Abe handled the hostage crisis as well as any leader could have done. Generally, I support most of his policies and I think he is doing a good job for Japan.

Unlike your handle implies I can not see how anyone could support a man who in effect created the crisis by his actions prior to it exploding as it did. Abe knew fully well that his announcements could very well put those mens lives in jeopardy and he went ahead anyway. He put a target on their backs and from the IS's point of view, on all Japanese backs.

But these poll results really must stick in the craw of the Abe-haters and Japan-bashers on Japan Today, who perhaps don't know as much about Japanese politics (and Japanese society) as they think they do.

Hardly, just reinforces and supports my own opinions. And odds are I have forgotten more about this country, society, and politics than you have ever learned.

Japan is not a perfect country,but to take these statistics and believe that they speak for the entire country is foolish at best, I'm surprised it's not 100%, they probably called Yamauchi Ken people.

Its interesting to watch all the arm rest politicians that abound here. Why would this matter to you? Unless you are Japanese (or able to vote) this shouldn't matter to you since you have no say into what a government and their people decide to do. Way too much subversion going on 'round here. Let Japan do what Japan thinks is best for Japan.

So, the Yomiuri and Kyodo, controlled by the government

Could you tell me more about this?

I don't blame Abe for this now, but I wouldn't raise my approval of him after this either. What would raise my approval of Abe is:

(1) Getting real wages for most Japanese worker to rise. (2) Better and more affordable day care for mothers. (3) Pension reform (raise the pension age). (4) Reduction of wasteful construction spending. (5) Better working relations with Asian neighbors.

Psyops - re your question, "Why should this matter to you".

How about - I've spent over half of my adult life here, studied here, work here, married here, raising a family here, bought a house here, pay taxes here, have wonderful close friends here, spend almost all my money here - and I'm interested in the world around me esp locally & nationally and how it impacts upon my family, friends and others. In particular I'm interested in how politics and politicians act which can have lasting influences on my, my family's, my friends and fellow citizens lives.

I've always tried to take an interest in social, environmental and political matters that occured wherever I have lived - my home country as well as other countries including Japan.

So that's why Abe's performance - his actions and statements - as leader of this country are of concern and are of importance to me.

I'm sorry you can't recognize this.

Wag the Dog?

Abe did not create this situation. The murderous ISIS and the two who went in search of adventure and money created the situation.

Abe contributing the USD200M to help refugees of ISIS was a remarkable humanitarian gesture. Abe contributing the money did not mean, as others have said, that Abe caused the two's demise. He shouldn't hold back the aid just because ISIS decided to pick up some hostages to use as blackmail to prevent Japan from helping refugees.

My only criticism would be why spend money there and not at home. It is a fair criticism that doesn't appear to be reflected in the polls.

Agreed, for those who think they could've handled it better, please discribe how.

I think Abe handled the hostage crisis as well as any leader could have done. Generally, I support most of his policies and I think he is doing a good job for Japan.

But these poll results really must stick in the craw of the Abe-haters and Japan-bashers on Japan Today, who perhaps don't know as much about Japanese politics (and Japanese society) as they think they do.

Abe did not create this situation. The murderous ISIS and the two who went in search of adventure and money created the situation.

Abe contributing the USD200M to help refugees of ISIS was a remarkable humanitarian gesture. Abe contributing the money did not mean, as others have said, that Abe caused the two's demise. He shouldn't hold back the aid just because ISIS decided to pick up some hostages to use as blackmail to prevent Japan from helping refugees.

My only criticism would be why spend money there and not at home. It is a fair criticism that doesn't appear to be reflected in the polls.

They were both killed because of his 200 million donation and his approval rating rises??????????The longer I stay here the crazier this place and its people appear to be.

Abe build strong international ties and help Japan survive worst economical crises on Earth and he wouldn't give in to demands of terrorists and that is why people like Abe not because they just addicted to him.

Except in Japan, you actually can fool all the people, all the time. They have been doing it since forever, and the band just marches on... More of the same.

Pretty disgusting comment, obviously coming from someone with a superiority, can I say 'complex'?

Abe's approval ratings rise in Japan after hostage crisis

I guess people missed this important info: The Japanese government was fully aware of the 2 hostages for months beforehand, and the countdown to their murder didn't start till afterAbe's Middle East speech.

So you think that all of Japan should have been held hostage along with the Yukawa and Goto? Because that's what would have happened if national policy was set based on these two guys who were kidnapped. What if ISIS kept them for 10 years? Japan should not act for the entire 10 years?

By that logic, as long as they caught one hostage from each country attacking them, they'd be safe, since no country should dare do anything if one of their people is held hostage by the enemy.

What if ISIS kept them for 10 years? Japan should not act for the entire 10 years?

Not exactly. Japan was negotiating for their release, but the government didn't make the knowledge public, not wanting to jeopardise their lives. Then the PM made his speech, and all of a sudden the countdown started. Believe me, if it was any other leader that made that speech I'd be more sympathetic. But knowing what Mr Abe wants to do with Japan's constitution, I can't help being skeptical about the matter