Bruised PM Ishiba scrambles for support from other parties

Might not be intentional, but it's quite a neat commentary on the whole thing that he is plainly out of focus in that photo.

"We couldn't get a majority for complete power, so we are seeking a broader coalition for... well, for complete power. So, if we could please get the opposition to cooperate and no longer be against us but support our ideas completely, please do so."

How absolutely pathetic.

He's moving too fast to improve the wellbeing of Japanese workers for the camera to capture a clear image, obviously.

Well played, sir (or madam).

"It is difficult to say that sufficient discussions have been made on a mountain of important issues, and it has to be said that issues have been postponed," the head of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives said.

This must be a bad translation… it is difficult to say? And it has to be said?

According to the Yomiuri newspaper, Ishiba has decided to seek a "partial" coalition with the centrist DPP, whose manifesto included subsidies for reducing energy bills.

.

Déjà vu again, so soon?

Just quit already.

Because a slush fund?

The arrogance of both the press and the powers that be, to attempt to gaslight the public after they just handed you your ass…

It’s the economy, stupid!

while memories of the last tumultuous period of opposition rule between 2009 and 2012 still linger, analysts say.

This sounds like revisionism, since promoted by the LDP itself. I don't remember it being any different to a normal LDP rule and it was not that tumultuous for anyone except the LDP, especially when they started questioning the costs of more public works projects, like dams. They actually had the opportunity, but failed to take it, to pin all the blame for problems in Japan on the LDP but when the LDP regained power they had the impudence to blame the problems on this brief interregnum.

everyone has given up on the idea that we can expect anything from politicians

Exactly!

This radioactive clown still doesn't know he's been handed his walking papers.

Sorry, Shigeru Ishiba, Japan's prime minister, appears a desolate, isolated "billy no mates" as if the J electorate has confiscated his most treasured locomotives train set.

MoonrakerToday  06:49 pm JST

while memories of the last tumultuous period of opposition rule between 2009 and 2012 still linger, analysts say.

This sounds like revisionism, since promoted by the LDP itself. I don't remember it being any different to a normal LDP rule and it was not that tumultuous for anyone except the LDP, especially when they started questioning the costs of more public works projects, like dams. They actually had the opportunity, but failed to take it, to pin all the blame for problems in Japan on the LDP but when the LDP regained power they had the impudence to blame the problems on this brief interregnum.

Fully agree. 3/11 of course made it somehow tumultuous, but I'm of the opinion that Kan handled it rather well.

Tanigaki's obstruction policy didn't make it easy for the DPJ either, but the whole 'tumultuous' thing is just pure LDP/Yomiuri/Sankei revisionism that unfortunately now gets uncritically repeated even by english-language media

Tim SullivanToday 08:29 pm JST

Fascism would be a better model for Japan IMO. Most Japanese don't want the hassle of elections. They just like being told what to do.

What a truly ridiculous comment.

Despite turnout being down it was still 53.85%, so clearly it's not the case that "Most Japanese don't want the hassle of elections." And turnout can easily rise next time.

Other than far-right freaks in black vans or retro cosplay uniforms at Yasukuni, I doubt many want a return to the dark days of being dictated to.

@Great Bird

Right,

The DPJ had actually many good ideas to change the country, just countered by conservatism.

It proposed to have different school vacation periods depending on regions, which is the car in my country actually, to avoid all those masses rush. This also improves the tourism industry, but many were not in favor , mentioning difficulties to meet families.

The CDP or DPJ at that time wanted also to restrict some public spending, which is necessary here with all that useless public work, as you mentioned.

The 3/11 would not have been handled better by the LDP.

With all the scandals, the LDP should have lost its majority well before this year.

To be honest, he just took the PM seat. Except dyeing his hair, he couldn't do anything in this short time.

Not defending him, but hopefully, while in power, he won't do just thy bidding of his LDP sponsors, or Corporations.

Didou

Half of that post is Moonraker, I just failed with quoting once again... But agree with what he and now you said.

I doubt many want a return to the dark days of being dictated to.

Were they really "dark"? Were you there? How long have you lived in Japan? It's not the country that many newbies think it is. The reality is a lot scarier.

The Yen which they’ve spent so much trying to strengthen falls further due to these dithering idiots. Good news for me personally, bad for the country.

The chairman of the Japan Business Federation on Sunday urged political parties to focus on policies to grow the economy and overcome current challenges.

"It is difficult to say that sufficient discussions have been made on a mountain of important issues, and it has to be said that issues have been postponed," the head of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives said.

This is the problem. Aside from minor fringe lunatics, there is no sense of competing visions for the future of the country. Whoever steers the ship, it's always just a case of muddling along as usual. No wonder voters are apathetic.

If there's one thing we've learned Japanese politicians are actually good at, it's leaving two weeks after you've said you have no intention of quitting.

Tim SullivanToday 09:35 pm JST

Were they really "dark"? Were you there?

None of us were "there" as it was so long ago.

But, like many others, I can and do read history, and current politics. Given that, and my personal experience (many years) living in Japan, I certainly don't believe that "most" Japanese people want an election-less autocracy.

If you think they do, we must move in very different circles, and read very different things.

If no one wins in the first round of voting for prime minister, the top two go to a runoff.

The winner of that vote then becomes prime minister, whether or not they have a majority.

That would be a recipe for even more malaise and inaction

It’s not the slush fund scandal that brought down the LDP. It’s the disconnect of these Oyaji’s to the reality of Japanese people.

pure LDP/Yomiuri/Sankei revisionism that unfortunately now gets uncritically repeated even by english-language media

Amazing, isn't it? I am not sure about AFP as foreign media these days. It seems totally embedded now and indistinguishable from Kyodo. No article is complete without "ancient" this or that, "resource-poor country" or "as the only country that suffered from an atomic bombing." I wonder how many of the downvoters are old enough to remember the last opposition government or are they also indoctrinated with this revisionism?

Tim SullivanOct. 29  09:35 pm JST

"I doubt many want a return to the dark days of being dictated to."

Were they really "dark"?

I think that's a reference to the kind of government Japan had during WW2. They were indoctrinating civilians to fight Allied invaders to the death or kill themselves. It didn't end very well for Japan either so I'd concur it was as "dark" as you can get.