politics

British foreign secretary in Japan for security, trade talks

35 Comments

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

© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

35 Comments
Login to comment

@ Kazet...

"urgency to determine how to deal with terrorism in Japan" What terrorism do you refer to please.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Johnson, who was mayor of London during the 2012 Olympics, plans to share his expertise

Boris Johnson and expertise in the same sentence?

Any sense that May was a competent leader evaporated when she appointed this ludicrous show pony to his present position.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Johnson, who was mayor of London during the 2012 Olympics, plans to share his expertise

You give this man too much credit.

He is a self serving, weak, cowardly political lightweight who cultivates a buffonish persona to hide the fact he's only in it for himself. Look at the Brexit referendum - he peddled lies for the Leave campaign thinking they wouldn't win but getting brownie points from his party to support a leadership bid, then when the Brexiteers won was found out and ran away from any responsibility whatsoever. He was a rubbish Mayor too.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

He is a self serving, weak, cowardly political lightweight who cultivates a buffonish persona to hide the fact he's only in it for himself

Spot on. I'm sick of people treating this man as a 'lovable' buffoon. He's one of the most cynical and amoral politicians in the country and one of the hungriest of all the Tory cannibals.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Wonder if we'll see any impromptu rugby performances this time. 10-year old kids, beware!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The lying, elistist, racist fop usually hoisted by his own petard. A true inspiration.

Just imagine if he unseats May. Not all that far fetched, either.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

He is a self serving, weak, cowardly political lightweight who cultivates a buffonish persona to hide the fact he's only in it for himself. Look at the Brexit referendum - he peddled lies for the Leave campaign thinking they wouldn't win but getting brownie points from his party to support a leadership bid, then when the Brexiteers won was found out and ran away from any responsibility whatsoever.

Bang on. Johnson is vile, utterly beneath contempt.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

China has a golden relationship with UK

The UK government is a prostitue and even less selective than it was before Brexit.

They'll perform any depraved act - even for the repulsive CCP sadists.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Yusuke OhkawaJuly 20  03:59 pm JST For a second I thought he was Trump.

Not far off. Perhaps a bit more polished in a public school boy sort of way, but just a useless.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The London Olympics were little more than a sports park with a shopping arcade attached, through which all attendees had to pass. Sorry, "retail experience".

You reckon?

Went to see the Judo at the Excel Centre and the women's football final at Wembley. The atmosphere was amazing. I don't recall the souvenir stalls, although I don't doubt there were.

While I gripe about the so-called legacy; I can't fault the actual games for the sheer spectacle, enthusiasm and professionalism. The opening ceremony alone was iconic and dispelled any doubts that London would be a dud.

The best memories for me would, oddly enough, be travelling to and from events. People actually talking, laughing and enjoying the crowded tube journeys. Not a usual experience on London Underground.

Right; I've transgressed my "thou shalt not do anecdotage" rule enough. I'm sure Tokyo will be just fine. With or without Boris.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The UK's Trump.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

Kazetsukai, I agree with you on this! If Japan did issue the invite then they have a a lot to gain and little to loose over this visit. However if it was the other way around it does have an air of desperation about it! Still as someone from the UK i can only applaud closer UK-Japan relations.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Sorry, you have lost me here. What has his tie got to do with anything?

Before social media, the old school tie "knot" could use the international press to signal or message to a concerned group whether a deal has been struck or "not "

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Personaly I prefer the 4-in-hand but otherwise prefer the Pratt to the half Windsor. The full Windsor is for con-men, pimps and estate agents!

If only people knew what we are talking about

0 ( +1 / -1 )

British foreign secretary?

Ohhhh. you mean Boris Johnson.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

he's a politician what do you expect!

An understanding of the job would be good. A bit of gravitas, rather than clickbait soundbytes as well. And some sensitivity, too.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The UK's Trump.

Not even close!

How so mate?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

He's walking from 10 Downing Street to the Foreign Office

why on earth is he wearing a tie and jacket in 30 degrees plus and high humidity?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Boris when feel how hot it is in Japan at this time of year.

It gets hotter in August when the 2020 Olympics will be help.

I hope he agrees that hosting the games at this time of year is going to be hell for the athletes and visitors alike. Should have chosen October like in 1964.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ohkawa.  Nope.  No red tie!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Luddite.  "He is a self serving, weak, cowardly political lightweight who cultivates a buffonish persona to hide the fact he's only in it for himself."  Sounds a lot like Trump.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

kurisupisuToday 06:50 am JST

why on earth is he wearing a tie and jacket in 30 degrees plus and high humidity?

He's an Englishman. (please refer to Noel Coward for enlightenment!)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

For a second I thought he was Trump.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Gary Busey?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

jimizo, Japan is a better girl than UK to answer calls.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

does boris own a comb?!?!

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

"Sorry, you have lost me here"

**Social media* these **days can be used*** in so many ways

Social media can be used in so many ways

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@Yusuke Ohkawa

For a second I thought he was Trump.

"Trump" as in the world is wondering who on earth voted for him and how on earth he got elected. Even moreso, how he got the job as foreign secretary.

But in Johnson's case, as others hint, it's the old Public School boy clique that runs the country.

The London Olympics were little more than a sports park with a shopping arcade attached, through which all attendees had to pass. Sorry, "retail experience".

Japan already does them better.

Mind you, at least London honored their contract with architect Zaha Hadid. Had Tokyo not got cold feet, it would have ended up with an important piece of her legacy.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Boris who was born in the USA wears the Pratt Knot when he's in the house of commons, in the file photo he's wearing the Four in Hand knot matching his counter part Spaniard, anyone who has attended Ashdown House will recognise he's still playing school boy games with his neck tie knot . You've got to love the man, always the last to pull his wallet out when the bill lands on the table.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Boris who was born in the USA wears the Pratt Knot when he's in the house of commons, in the file photo he's wearing the Four in Hand knot matching his counter part Spaniard, anyone who has attended Ashdown House will recognise he's still playing school boy games with his neck tie knot . You've got to love the man, always the last to pull his wallet out when the bill lands on the table.

Sorry, you have lost me here. What has his tie got to do with anything? The only knots I use are the four in hand and the half Windsor (rather similar to the pratt in look). Different ties, different shirts etc might influence my choice. But what has that got to do with anything? As long as he is not wearing a Windsor, like an estate agent or footballer, I don't mind.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

China has a golden relationship with UK. Japan deserves copper.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

why on earth is he wearing a tie and jacket in 30 degrees plus and high humidity?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Better than most of the characterless, clueless nonentities we usually have. Yes he has his faults and as for being in it for him self, he's a politician what do you expect!

Personaly I prefer the 4-in-hand but otherwise prefer the Pratt to the half Windsor. The full Windsor is for con-men, pimps and estate agents!

Japan and the UK have both much to gain the areas of Security and Trade. As to the Olympics despite my initial opposition and continued misgivings wasn't that badly run. So may be Tokyo could pick up some useful information and lessons.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

After Brexit, there is an immediate need to determine how to approach Britain and EU amicably while there is also the same urgency to determine how to deal with terrorism in Japan. Britain's experience and knowledge definitely can give "perspective" to the development of the changing role of Europe as a "stable" geographic region. Good move if Japan invited... if by British request... why?

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

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