Aso ridicules N Korean leader's plane

That sounded like a "Threat" to the N. Korean leader.

@ white bar owner

At 77 your Leader suppose to be doing his second term :)

Japanese has the reputation of being polite, but...

While many may have thought something similar, they wisely kept their gob shut.

In diplomacy, more is often achieved by keeping your offensive opinions to your self than in thoughtlessly opening your big mouth.

Why not use the train to Singapore? There probably are train rails all the way. Never worry about its crash.

Well now be reasonable. If Kim's plane did fall out of the sky, NK would naturally acuse someone of shooting the plane down, and WWIII would start.

Not very diplomatic of him. It's not down to age, more a lack of subtlety and knowing when to keep your thoughts to yourself.

I can't believe that this clown has said this out load, when two or three large super powers are on the brink of backing down, liaising, talking, negotiating, the last thing you need is some one to upset the apple cart with stupid comments. In the UK we have price Phillip he's well renown for making gaffs, but at least he's funny! at the ripe old age of 77 is it not time Aso was put out to pasture?

Amazing how the world wants their cake and eat it too.

The world has not been put here just for Japan.

If you thew an actual monkey in a suit, he'd do a better job than this national embarrassment of a man .

Although it is hard to praise the plane exactly, unless you are an antique Russian plane enthusiast. I bet 'New plane' has just risen to the top of Kim's shopping, er, requisite diplomatic gift list.

Did skeletor do it while wearing his 1930's mafia hat and speaking out of the right side of his mouth about how he can't read the Kanji written on most signs anyway?

What an immature little man this Aso is.

Wonder how many people hope Kim Jong Un's old jet airplane accidentally crash on the way. Kim's family was a target of assassination in the past and maybe still. It seems Kim doesn't want a very long distance flight.

Haha, great trolling by Aso. The Norks will explode in rage, and hopefully Porky Pig's airplane as well

@ I am sam "Lol....I like this guy...". Yes your names spot on.

Obviously trying to sell one of Japan's new Mitsubishi or Honda aircraft

karlrbToday 09:34 am JST

Japan - Aso is truly in another world - his own. Unfortunately, he represents all of Japan -

The Prime Minister represents all of Japan. Aso is merely the Finance Minister,

Dam! I keeping making typos! Fat fingers on my large hands.

HakmanToday 10:31 am JST

Well, it IS an old Soviet-era plane from Russia. The man does have a point.

Amazing. Scream for more and more embargoes against NK over the decades, and then complain and act surprised when he comes in an older plane...

The are tens-of-thousands of older aircraft all around the world that are just fine when maintained properly. What gives with the snobbery?

The guy is coming to meet and have discussions/negotiations. It's really quite detrimental to the whole process to just chip away at his dignity before he even arrives over such trivial matters. I expect more from politicians and the average person, but maybe par-for-the-course when it comes to Aso;lp.

All those who wanna take him out, he will just be replaced by his sister

Cunning.  Creates impression that plane could fall out of sky and then Japan mounts a covert op to "disappear" the plane when he does fly.

Just in case anyone assumed that maturity always has a direct relationship with age. Thank you Mr. Aso for your contribution to science!

I like him. He does not pretend. He is outspoken.

He definitely impelments, what hence forthwith shall be known as, Trump-appeal.

Sometimes the freestyling Asosan gets it right. Today he did. Bravo.

:facepalm:

He has a point, KJU will be flying in a Soviet era clunky transport plane unless his Chinese masters supply him with something newer.

I would say half the world are hoping his plane malfunctions during the flight and puts an end to this farce once and for all

I like him. He does not pretend. He is outspoken.

Amazing how the world wants their cake and eat it too.

Dude, this guy needs to look at his face in the mirror before calling anything ridiculous. Where are your lips bro?

I was about 99% this headline was a typo, and that it was supposed to read "Aso ridicules NK leader's plan"

But no, Aso is just that petty

Japan - Aso is truly in another world - his own. Unfortunately, he represents all of Japan - and personally I hope that Japan grows in all ways - it would do better without him.

I hate to say it but he has a point this would be a perfect opportunity to take Kim out and make it look like an unfortunate accident

the former prime minister could come under fire over it.

Yeah, im sure he is quaking in his boots right now.

This fool is a walking, talking metaphor for Japan & it is NOT good!

Put this one out to pasture, close the gate & walk away PLEASE!!!  And take mori with him for company for good measure!

"I hope that awful-looking (North Korean) airplane will safely fly to Singapore because its falling on the way is no joking matter," Aso said at a gathering in Tokyo.

Reeeaaally professional and diplomatic of him...........!

Seriously though, these J-politicians are playing the small-man role really well..!

What is wrong with you Japanese that you let this narcissistic old fool continue to represent you. He has no interest in the future of Japan. All he wants (like his boss) is a return to "The good o'l days" of militaristic rule and self sacrifice.

Total embarrassment himself with his loud suits and Boggart hats.

Hey he shot a Rocket over my country.

I have no problem with Kim’s plane malfunctioning.

Apparantly millions have died under his family’s dictatorship.

They kept him chained up in the basement of LDP headquarters for a couple of years but he's out now. There'll be a hot time in old Ginza, tonight! The drinks are on the taxpayer! Cheers, Taro. Hic!

Somebody needs to put him in a straightjacket and wash his mouth out with soap everytime he makes a dumb comment.

Lol, ladies and gents, japanese leadership in a nutshell. And they wonder why they've been sidelined.

"If we were to choose from someone who looks gloomy, who is not so smart (and who has a stomach ache), the best thing to do would be to pick the one whose tummy hurts," Aso said.

If I were Abe I think I would be telling Aso to keep his damn mouth shut.

A ridiculous 77-year-old rotten brain to ridiculing chubby's plane, all kind of joke!

Lol....I like this guy...

If only Japan had a mandatory retirement age for politicians, he's 77 right lets call the age 76 then, tool.

Is he trying to sabotage the summit between Kim and the Cheeto? Insulting the NK Dictator is the way to go, then. If the summit is canceled, Japan can say, “See? See? Without us it’s meaningless! Right? Right?”

anybody wanna shut this guy up?! THe North Korean plane is in better shape and more reliable than him

The guy is an old dinosaur, an aging, inept, backwards relic from a time that should have long ago been bypassed in Japan.

Retire already Aso.

pretty sure NK has said worse but, at this time Japan the barking chihuahua should be quite because Japan is irrelevant right now

This Asso only did one good thing in his 77 years: follow a Chinese diplomat to a toilet to just say hello and call it a meeting.

Shuuuuuuutttt uuuuuupppppppppppppppp

I hope that awful-looking (North Korean) airplane will safely fly to Singapore because its falling on the way is no joking matter," Aso said at a gathering in Tokyo.

Great job, once again, open mouth exchange feet!

This guy is an idiot. Japan's version of Pelosi?