Struggling opposition Democratic Party elects ex-foreign minister Maehara as leader

He won't last more than 2 cours of an Anime series!

plasticmonkeyToday  10:34 am JST

Sometimes I get the idea that the DP is really just a front run by frauds working for the LDP.

Could frauds do such a good job of being rubbish?

after its first female head, Renho, quit having failed to capitalise on Abe's sagging ratings . . .

Oh, come on. Renho was pushed out because elements in her own party (probably including Maehara) didn't approve of her mixed ethnicity. She had vastly more public support than any of these recycled fixtures like Maehara.

Sometimes I get the idea that the DP is really just a front run by frauds working for the LDP.

> smithinjapanSep. 1  04:07 pm JST

Nobody should ever take anyone doing that pose seriously.

Lol! Finally out of the closet?

he quit because of corruption.

Instead of dragging this out like the email scandal. Maehara isn't perfect for sure but corruption is relative term and he is definitely on the cleaner side of the ledger.

How is this an opposition party? Seems they could merge with LDP and just confirm Japan into a one party state it has already been all this time, minus a couple of blips.

@Jim

Mike Ashley？

A system where a ignorant rabble-rouser can be elected with a minority of votes and give executive orders is appalling.

also he is a member of nippon kaigi. so both parties are the same and komento is the cult that decides. love democracy.

when hatoyama won, i was in Maeharas office in Kyoto. he shook evrybodys hand except mine as i am not japanese. see him a lot around.

he quit because of corruption.

In March 2011, Maehara resigned as Minister for Foreign Affairs after it emerged that he had accepted a political donation of ¥250,000 (approx. US$3,000)[8] from a 72-year-old South Korean permanent resident of Japan who operated a restaurant in Kyoto.

he is also a liar...

https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09TOKYO2822_a.html

@Abey

You appear not to understand how the Prime Ministerial system works.

It's democratic, believe me.

"as Japan is not a Democratic country."

Definitely not democratic. No PM ever is elected by people.

Hey, the photo reminds me of an old English kids song... I'm a teapot...

Who ?

Anyway, don't really care, as Japan is not a Democratic country. Only Japanese passport holders can vote... an ever decreasing number.

There is no shortage of foolish politicians. 100% true.

Perhaps by not doing a haul hilter sign?

Maehara was kicked of the the Democratic Party cabinet when they were in power for recieving illegal donations. And now his party make him leader. Japanese politics in a nutshell.

"Struggling opposition Democratic Party"

They're going to continue to struggle.

oh no here we go again, another bunch of grown men singing, "Im a little tea pot"

Love it! LOVE IT!

That picture says it all. The dude to Maehara's immediate right can only bring himself to give a half "Hee-yah!" and the last guy on the right is like, "I'm here, that's good enough."

Maehara's gone from flunking with Hatoyama, floundering with Kato, and failing to lead the DPJ to now faking it as the leader of LDP.

ABANDON SHIP! ICEBERG AHEAD! ABANDON SHIP!

Why are there no smart politicians? Guess the bar is set pretty LOW.

So his plan is to beat the LDP by basically promising the same policies & revision of the constitution as the LDP. His strategy is about as smart as his stance is strong-looking

From 2011......Statesmen's Forum: Seiji Maehara, Minister for Foreign Affairs.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2UXxYj3GAQ

JimizoToday  04:31 pm JST

Nobody should ever take anyone doing that pose seriously.

At least his fist is clenched. I think some LDP headbangers would like to strike that pose with the fingers outstretched.

Maehara too, probably. He's in Nippon Kaigi as well.

More bad news

lord of the losers

Yes it's a really weak-looking pose. Supposed to be the opposite I expect.

Nobody should ever take anyone doing that pose seriously.

At least his fist is clenched. I think some LDP headbangers would like to strike that pose with the fingers outstretched.

Anybody going to offer odds?

I'll give even money on him being out on his backside by the time we see the cherry blossoms.

Nobody should ever take anyone doing that pose seriously.