politics

Abe's public support slumps in wake of resignations

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Birds of a feather flock together.

Abe chose these people.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Interesting how the rightist Yomiuri still manages to find that a majority of those surveyed support the Minor Minister, when just the other day a more centrist Kyodo poll showed Abe's support slipping to 48.1% and falling.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-24/japanese-premier-sees-his-popularity-slip

Still, one can dislike the current administration all one wants, but without having a viable answer to the question "Who else can possibly take over?" it's full steam ahead on the Abe Crazy Train...

6 ( +6 / -1 )

The news for Abe's admin is growing gloomier as the year approachs to its end. This weekend, a poll by Nikkei Inc. and TV Tokyo shows Abe admin’s approval rating has dropped to 48%, and 36% of respondents don’t support Abe’s admin.

With Japan’s economy is on a seemingly downward path, Abe may have difficult time ahead as to revive the rating.

Next consumption tax hike may be a furious battle ground to test Abe’s governing capacity as well as his political survivorship.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

It seems that people disapprove of Abe because his choices for ministers turned out to be crooks, but the same people will vote those crooks back in next time, and the time after that.

If the Japanese people insist on electing criminals, why the upset and outrage when those criminals get into the cabinet? If the people would elect politicians with morals, instead of known scoundrels, then they might have a reason to complain. But if the pool of politicians Abe has to choose from is composed of an assortment of villains of varying degree, what is he supposed to do?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Either the public puts you on a pedestal or they don't.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The recent scandals has fired up the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, which Abe routed in elections almost two years ago, but Abe’s ruling coalition has a hefty parliamentary majority and no general election need be held until 2016.

Interestingly enough, the LDP itself still has about 42% support according to the Yomiuri, compared to just 9% for the DPJ. Looks to me like Abe could be out soon - he's too spineless and mediocre to pull off something spectacular that lots of people will like - and that we'll be back to the endless succession of bland, ageing non-entities messing everything up while the LDP clings on to control of the Diet.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

At last - people are coming to their senses. And as for Obuchi - she got caught with her hand in the cookie jar - apologised (no punishment as a result) and then another politician gets to repeat the same trick. Japan's political system is fundamentally rotten. I hope people realise that before it's too late

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The core problem with Japan dynastic political system is the sense of entitlement the politicians carry, rather than a sense of achievement. Scrote nailed it, as long as the same crooks keep getting shuffled around in jobs nothing will ever improve here.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

He's never near you to comfort and cheer you When all those sad tears are fallin' baby from your eyes He might be thrillin' baby but a-my love (my love, my love) So dog-gone willin' So kiss him (I wanna see you kiss him. I wanna see you kiss him) Go on and kiss him goodbye, na-na na-na-na na na

Na na na na, Abe-ey, goodbye

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Japan is not like the US. In the US, criminals will find a hard time to be re elacted. Japan is mire like Italy. It takes big crimes to bring someone down. Abe is lucky.

4 ( +4 / -1 )

Perhaps a PM might want to listen to the people once in a while instead of going against them for some kind of personal agenda. The majority against a tax hike? Too bad! The majority against restarting NPPs? Well, we promised that would be the key in whether we started them again or not, but too bad! The majority against the Secrecy Law? Too bad! The people want the increase in pay that was promised to them to coincide with tax cuts to corporations, the increased tax, intentional deflation of the yen, and stimulus that would push the debt to unimaginable levels? too bad! They want accountable leaders? too bad.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Print more money

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan Today should take a poll on Abe's popularity. From what I've seen so far ... it would probably be less than 0 (zero) %.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@Scrote

But if the pool of politicians Abe has to choose from is composed of an assortment of villains of varying degree, what is he supposed to do?

Step down...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Let's hope this is the beginning of the end for Abe

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Once upon a ti time. PM at that time and every LDP members rejected his porposal to have all support assoc of elected members keep receipts of `1 yen and up to be kept on record but rejected. So, in his mind, Obuchi's support group book keeping he ccepted resignation right after he came back. He did not know Miyazawa and all other LDP members are not clean so he appointed Miyazawa. More and more will come. He jas to clean up LDP.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Perhaps a PM might want to listen to the people once in a while instead of going against them for some kind of personal agenda. The majority against a tax hike? Too bad! The majority against restarting NPPs? Well, we promised that would be the key in whether we started them again or not, but too bad! The majority against the Secrecy Law? Too bad! The people want the increase in pay that was promised to them to coincide with tax cuts to corporations, the increased tax, intentional deflation of the yen, and stimulus that would push the debt to unimaginable levels? too bad! They want accountable leaders? too bad.

Right, but I think what happens is that when parties win elections they interpret it as carte blanche to do anything they like until the next one. "Don't like what we're doing? Too bad, most people voted for us."

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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