Arrest of ex-justice minister could hasten Abe's departure

Crooked Abe seems to have used up his nine lives. Will the party allow him to stay on to reprise his role as Super Mario and bask in the glory of Tokyo 2021? Or will he be knifed before?

We can only hope it hasten Abes departure.

His voter ratings fell below 30% in two opinion polls last month - often seen as a danger sign. A June 5-7 survey by the Nikkei business daily showed an 11 point drop to 38%.

38% has been enough strong in Japan.

If a reporter tells that a prime minister is in danger, according to this rating, it is not a objective evaluation, but is merely his or her wish.

On the other hand, the political dynamics in LDP is getting very complicated.

The chief cabinet secretary, Suga, who recommended the ex-justice minister Kawai and his wife,

seems rapidly losing power inside the LDP.

The secretary general, Nikai, a famous "Panda hugger" and a power broker is seeking a rival candidate. Though Ishiba is well known as a powerful candidate, he is popular just outside the LDP, therefor he shall not be a candidate.

So it is a great interest who is decided as a next leader of the LDP.

Abe’s position is perfectly safe. Remember, its Japan.

One wonders whether the arrest, and the political fallout, would have come to pass had Abe's favourite prosecutor kept his job.

About frigging time. I've been waiting for ages for them to replace this out of touch fool who I can't stand with one of the many other out of touch fools who I can't stand that the LDP has an endless supply of.

Separately, Katsuyuki Kawai gave a total of about 24 million yen to about 90 people.

Easy come easy go.

I'd like to see a change of administration," said Chisato Tanaka, a 26-year-old translator. "But there's no one in particular I'd like to see become premier."

Chisato, so see you no one even in the opposition ? No wonder the country is almost a one party state despite the numerous LDP scandals.

Dont know how he managed to keep the sharks from within the LDP at bay, but the time has come and the feeding frenzy will begin. As his opponents start poking more and more at him, Abe will be forced into calling a snap election, and that is his ONLY way of possibly staying in power until the end of his term.

The odds of him getting the LDP to change their rules again to allow him another term are turning into a pipe dream.

I for one would LOVE to see Abe fall, the corona virus somehow disappear, and the Olympics get held WITHOUT Abe at the helm, it would be a huge rebuke and embarrassment for Abe!

You can always just pretend you have a sudden bout of IBS again like you did in 2007 when the going got tough.

Abe truly is the wrongest premiere in Japan's post-war history. Sorry that was supposed to say longest. Ls and rs y'know. A tricky thing for the Japanese.

Yeah!!! Get him out!!!!

A more sanctimonious pack of hypocrites you’re not likely to find. Zealously proactive when it comes to prosecuting their enemies for far milder infractions; they’re forever inviting the wrath of the gods in their cynical, expediency driven, ends justifies the means 嘘も方便 disregard of both the letter and spirit of the law.

Yesterday, Prime minister press conference was mere farce among prime minister,cabinet office and press club.

unlike other countries,

Tough questions were almost nothing despite incompetent against Coronavirus or irresponsibility about many scandal.

Abe was doing good until the Olympic cancellation and COVID, both of which he is not responsible for. His immigration reforms, while not a game changer, was more than anybody else has ever done. The under tow of rightism and nationalism was a bit concerning, but Abe was the answer to Hatoyama, Kan and Noda, the 3 infamous loons of Japan, much in parallel with the US Dem loon team. Kans heli hose solution to fukushima will never be forgotten. I dont think Mr Abe is as far right or nuts as an Ishihara or similar nutter. Koike san...not for sure.

My Abe masks arrived last week. To add insult to injury for the extreme late arrival the masks are so small they are totally useless! How can he continue in the face of this rort to the taxpayer. Not enough to siphon the money for them and to arrive well after the emergency BUT to make them useless as well. Even the most apolitical of Japanese I kew can see through this scam and they don't like i

PMs in Japan since 2020.

Do you remember anyone below ?

 2000 - Yoshirou Mori

 2001 - Jyunichiro Koizumi

 2007 - Yasuo Fukuda

 2008 - Taro Asou

 2009 - Yukio Hatoyama

 2010 - Naoto Kan

 2011 - Yoshihiko Noda

And current leaders of parties in Japan (order of popular ratings).

 Yukio Edano (Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan)

 Ichiro Matsui (Japan Innovation Party)

 Natsuo Yamaguchi (Koumeito)

 Kazuo Shii (Japanese Communist Party)

 Yuichiro Tamaki (National Democratic Party)

 MIzuho Fukushima, Taro Yamamoto, Takashi Tachibana etc.

Men, it's really a nightmare I don't have better choice than even Abe.

"Huge amounts of money circulated in the dark," Noriko Saito, a 65-year-old Tokyo housewife, said 

It's been like this for decades Noriko-san.

From the days of Yoshio Kodama to Kakuei Tanaka, Noboru Takeshita, Shin Kanemaru, and Fumio Abe; these 'Kingmakers' were all noted for their financial acumen!

Just read ex-Ambassador Khoon Choy Lee's book entitled, 'Japan - Between Myth And Reality' - Ch 8 Corridors of Power!

The one I remember most is Shin Kanemaru-memorable for hiding from justice in a wheelchair in hospital and his big hoard!

ABA - Anyone but Abe?

Money laundering by another name.

Good riddance to old rubbish.

"Huge amounts of money circulated in the dark," Noriko Saito, a 65-year-old Tokyo housewife, said about the latest scandal.

The opinion of a "Tokyo housewife"... Clearly an inside expert on the matter. Great reporting.

TheLongTermerToday  07:40 pm JST

Abe was doing good...

Was he? Examples of how he was "doing good?" The country certainly wasn't doing so good.

His immigration reforms, while not a game changer, was more than anybody else has ever done.

But not much more really, seems to be what you're saying. If all he has to show for eight years in power is something like that, well....

...but Abe was the answer to Hatoyama, Kan and Noda, the 3 infamous loons of Japan...*

None of them were as inept, autocratic and corrupt as Abe has been.

Yes, I agree with what a life you are saying. I hope to God that this hastens Abe’s departure. Because with all this crooked dark money, as well as he dressing up as super Mario at the end of the Rio Olympics in 2016, indeed, he needs to go.

Nothing will change. LDP will still be winning in a landslide.

Politicians will remain the most lucrative profession.

Maybe it wont.

“...what a lot you are saying.” My mistake.

Ishiba is the guy. He is smart, intelligent, popular with the Japanese electorate but unfortunately had weak support within the LDP Diet members. Ishiba is a policy wonk and has a near perfect grip on the issues. I wish Nikai would help him to win hearts within the LDP and become the next PM.

I concur with everything that has been said here. It is painfully obvious Japan will never have a great leader like Donald Trump.

Hell's bells. We can't even get someone like Boris Johnson,

Japan and the Japanese are completely hopeless.

Although lots of people would like to see the back of him. He has an annoying habit of surviving scandals from Moritomo to this Mahjong betting business. It wouldn't be surprising if he carries on, seeing how forgiving the Japanese are...

B. JayToday  02:38 am JST

Ishiba is the guy. He is smart, intelligent, popular with the Japanese electorate but unfortunately had weak support within the LDP Diet members.

That's what tends to happen in the LDP when you don't have a relative called Abe, Sato or Kishi.

Arrest of ex-justice minister could hasten Abe's departure

good riddance

@ Henny Penny

”Japan will never have a great leader like Donald Trump.

Hell's bells. We can't even get someone like Boris Johnson,“

This is a satirical comment no?

Kobe White Bar OwnerJune 20  08:21 pm JST

@ Henny Penny

”Japan will never have a great leader like Donald Trump.

Hell's bells. We can't even get someone like Boris Johnson,“

This is a satirical comment no?

Amazingly some people continually profess online that Trump and Johnson are 100% righteous dudes, but I think they're either paid campaign workers or just having a laugh. The joke's got a bit stale though.