politics

Big win could help Abe pursue nationalist goals

18 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI and KEN MORITSUGU

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18 Comments
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This is the scariest part about the LDP's election victory. The economy is one thing, rewriting history, and potentially having a generation of children grow up being taught that their country did no wrong is even more dangerous.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Not yet. Taro Asou won in Fukuioka 8 Abe won in Yamaguchi 4.

There will be election of LOP Chairman. Abe will be a contender. So is Asou Winner of this contest will be PM. I think Abe will win but who knows?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Fortunately, the LDP didn't win 2/3 of the seats. We have to hope that the LDP stooges at Komeito won't go along with Abe's constitutional revisions.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Ummm... 'could'? I think 'will most certainly' is more apt. Even when the guy didn't have the seats his government has now he was forcing stuff through under clever wording. Now he can just blatantly disregard what people want and say they want it because he was voted in again.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

'Fortunately, the LDP didn't win 2/3 of the seats. We have to hope that the LDP stooges at Komeito won't go along with Abe's constitutional revisions.'

It's disturbing to think that religious zombies are the ones who could hold the decisive votes in a democracy.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Now he can just blatantly disregard what people want and say they want it because he was voted in again.

Yep, well done Japan's electorate. Very well done

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yubaru>This is the scariest part about the LDP's election victory. The economy is one thing, rewriting history, and potentially having a generation of children grow up being taught that their country did no wrong is even more dangerous.

I totally agree with Yubaru's comment above. I feel so disappointed and frustrated at the election result that I've hardly been able to watch any TV programs about the election today. The only consolation I find is that Abe's party did not exactly win a two-third majority on its own and JPC got more than double its previous seats. I'm hoping, since he did lose a few seats in the Lower House, Abe will feel a little more humble about the way he tries to carry out his policies, until he is replaced by someone more moderate.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Komeito won't stand for this. They are too principled and peacenik.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Well, it wasn't a win across the boards.

The voter turnout was atrocious.

And the LDP failed miserably in Okinawa:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/12/15/national/politics-diplomacy/four-ldp-okinawa-contituency-seat-candidates-lose-futemna-foes/#.VI6vaMasWpE

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

They interviewed a lot of people on the wide shows that didn't because they got snowed in, etc.

Many areas if Japan are struggling with heavy snowfalls this winter and voting was a low priority for them.

Winter elections have a tendency to be lower attended, especially in December which is a busy month for many.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

It is really up to the United States to pay attention and to speak up if Abe goes down the "right" path. Does it really want to lose Korea when North Korea is the real threat? What good is it to get some revised guidelines plus a strong arming to get Henoko built, if the comity the Americans want among Japan, Korea, and America is lost?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Abe has to concentrate on Economic recovery. He has to forget religeon issue that Komeito is not going to agree with National Shinto religeon, About Article 9, that was the wish of Govt that time. PM Shidehara and Govt representative Narahashi begged Madam Tae Torio to organize Gakushuin grad to entertain GHQ officials. That worked and then Article 9 was added by Kadis (spell?) who was legal officer and lover of Madam then. Article 9 was people's wish as people were sick and tired of air raids and damaged cities all over in Japan. So reinterpretation of Constituion is not wise unless Japan to become like middle east. Just concentrate on economic recovery.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

toshiko, Are you aware of China's expansion intention? How do you suppose Japan protects itself?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@tinaL I wrote about background of Article 9 I am aware that China and Japan are too cozy recently, Also, know that China has expansion movement on SE Asian countries. Self Defence is OK but last time Japan had military, Japan expanded its plan to conquer entire Asia with slogan of DaiToua Kyo-ei-ken.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I predict one thing. Japan will eliminate the barrier between politics and religion, as the mystical shinto religion will now be back in full force in Japan's politics, policies, and even their civil laws. Nationalism mixed in with religion will be a potent mixture that could change Japan for the bad. Foreigners in Japan may just start feeling this mixture and get real uncomfortable.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

ABE again, what a shame.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

People spoke and Abe won the right to pursue his agenda. The same headline is also found in Korea, communist China, and liberal news of U.S. to no surprise. Japan must be prudence and stand up for her survival without being bullied by surrounded ill will nations. The economy will be first and foremost on Abe's agenda, and the rest will be a democratic political process. New direction for Japan is a must to prosper in 21th. century through deterrence policy. Cheers!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

People spoke and Abe won the right to pursue his agenda

Most people actually couldn't be bothered to lift a finger. Abe won by default.

Japan must be prudence and stand up for her survival without being bullied by surrounded ill will nations.

The prudence part I agree with. "Ill will nations". Hmm, what caused that ill will I wonder? The 1910-1945 colonisation of Korea, and the 1931-45 invasion of China perhaps? More importantly the knowledge among those countries that Japan is whitewashing their history on the matter.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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