politics

Backroom deals, old-school politics help rise of Suga

18 Comments
By Linda Sieg and Sakura Murakami

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Thomson Reuters 2020.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

18 Comments
Login to comment

Nikai is "an old-school politician who does old-school politics", said Katsuyuki Yakushiji, a professor at Toyo University.

"For him, public opinion is irrelevant. Nikai has teamed up with Suga to garner support for Suga and set him up as the next prime minister".

In other words he's a sleazy old crook who fits in perfectly in a party founded by fascist racketeers.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

this is why you have a leadership race with voting members

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Nikai, 81, has considerable clout because he effectively controls how the party allocates campaign funds, money that used to be disbursed by faction heads until the 1990s reforms.

Nikai is "an old-school politician who does old-school politics", said Katsuyuki Yakushiji, a professor at Toyo University.

"For him, public opinion is irrelevant. Nikai has teamed up with Suga to garner support for Suga and set him up as the next prime minister".

Toshihiro Nikai, the LDP's secretary general, role/position needs hollowing out, diluting and scaling back. To begin the task of handing control of essential LDP organizational structure and policy to its membership.

Failure to implement any change, and the process to elect a President will continue to be a sham lacking any credibility. More tellingly, any form of political/economic change will remain in a permanent state of inertia.

There is evidence that Japan Prime Minster and Cabinet are nothing from that a rubber stamp for decisions, discussed/taken/dictated in secret, by a unelected faceless politburo.

Which could explain the reason why a peculiar form of political nepotism is rife.

Roles of government/cabinet are basically handed down from father to son or from a chosen few.

To aid the process the membership are little more that political cannon fodder.

A total illusion of Democratic Government. Quite remarkable, when viewed next to Japan constitution.

In many ways the ruling classes, or Government, for want of a better description, have circumvented the Japans cherished constitution. Forgive me, a back door dictatorship.

 

4 ( +4 / -0 )

His politics is very cruel to social weak and already demands to effort self-help to many people.

But Japanese TV shows emphasize only his emotional episode,avoid to mention his remark or behavior or thought or responsibility as politician.

It looks like propaganda of autocratic state.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

One thing you can always count on is that voters worldwide only get to vote for those blessed by special interests

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's funny how the candidates will present their ideas and agendas, when the factions within the LDP have declared support of Suga. Like what's the point ?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Its not politics without backroom deals, extra sleeze, and handouts. Suga the same direction and unwise direction for Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If Suga fumbles Covid this coming winter, he'll be flying out the LDP's revolving door in spring.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

How many more stories are we going to hear about Suga? He hasnt even been selected as president of the LDP, but he is being anointed as the next PM

Enough already with the platitudes about Suga.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Demonstrates a deeply ingrained disrespect and aversion to democratic processes. So called representatives who operate this way within their own party will never act for their electors interests as party and career considerations will be for most in their minds and an aversion to respecting the will of the people.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Suga could be a part of no faction, or all factions, since they are all exactly the same: all LDP dropouts who formed new parties when they lost a vote to have things their way. Those then form coalitions with the LDP or the opposition party, also LDP dropouts with no alternative platform on anything.

Suga is going to be about as effective as an old garbage bag in a ditch. He'll kowtow to the US and everyone else at the same time, promising them all he'll do what they want (despite it opposing what others wants), and he'll probably face so much pressure out of the gate due to corona that he'll quit within a few months (but not give up his seat).

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Suga got a big boost on Tuesday when the LDP's general affairs committee decided to hold a slimmed-down leadership poll, limiting voting to its members of parliament and three representatives from each local chapter.

It rejected calls for a full-scale election that would include rank-and-file members, saying such a vote would take too long and leave a political vacuum, although the outgoing premier stays in his job until after the new leader is chosen.

According to the Yomiuri, LDP local chapters across all the 47 prefectures will hold primaries. Though results wouldn't be transferred as any points to chosen candidates, rank and file opinions can draw attention, have impact on the substantial poll.

【独自】自民総裁選、全都道府県連で予備選…党員の意向すくい上げる狙い

https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20200904-OYT1T50066/

3 ( +3 / -0 )

For decades, the conservative LDP was dominated by factions whose bosses backed rival candidates in multi-member constituencies, collected and handed out campaign funds, and used their clout to launch runs at the premiership.

isn’t this how the mafia/yakuza operates ?

11 ( +11 / -0 )

The choice of Suga highlights the lingering influence of factions and old-school, personal politics and his alliance with the LDP's chief manager of party funds, rather than policy debates, party insiders say.

yeah right, as if there are policy debates in the west. Just go take at the US.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Nothing like being represented by someone representing someone else, secretly representing a group that represents themselves. Politics in Japan is so far away from actual normal people they could live on the moon and still collect tax to fund their own games. I just can't think of one positive thing they have done to improve tax payers live So? Ok premium Friday's.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites