Japan's new PM: Self-made and strong-willed

"Once he makes a decision, he never sways and he is still the same."

"Shadow prime minister" over the abject failure of Abenomics.

What reassurances do we have that things will be any different?

You can't eat slogans.

"He says his weakness is sweets, especially sweet pancakes and **daifuku mochi, a Japanese rice treat filled with sweet bean paste.**"

How nice, is this cute little detail going to contribute to fixing this country's problems? Didn't think so.

But behind the scenes, Suga is known for stubbornness, an iron-fist approach as a policy coordinator and influencing bureaucrats using the power of the prime minister's office, leading politics watchers to call him the "shadow prime minister."

Boy. Can't WAIT for HIM to take over!! YIPPEE!!!!

"Self-made?" He would not be where he is today if he had not attached himself to Abe. He has been loyal to Abe from his first time as PM and this is his reward.

The Shadow...

His hair is a shadow of its former self

"Self-made?" He would not be where he is today if he had not attached himself to Abe. He has been loyal to Abe from his first time as PM and this is his reward.

You have not read his biography. He is a farmers son who worked his way through university, taking classes part time while working. I did the same. It's a tough way to get an education and takes some grit to stay with it. He doesn't have a degree from a prestigious university with a strong alumni to network with. He had to make a name for himself through his own work. His first political office was won by walking neighborhoods and knocking on doors. Hundred of doors a day, day after day. No, whether or not I agree with his policies he has earned everything he has through hard work.

His hair is a shadow of its former self.

I guess Momma never told you that age and treachery overcomes youth and strength!

Propaganda at its most base level.

Good to have a bit of an outline of the new boy.

Married?

gary

I congratulate him for getting this far without being from an established political family, especially if he had to work through college.

However, his insistence on following the Abe administration's policies, as described in the other story, suggest he is far from "strong willed".

Good to have a bit of an outline of the new boy.

Married?

His wife just gave public speech. See the article in JT today.

Abe just switched places with Suga; abe chan with his tummy ache is now going to be the "shadow" prime minister as Suga himself stated will continue with abe's policies. No stress for abe and out of the limelight.

Isn’t it a bit early to roll out the platitudes?

My oh my so fluffy in here!!

Cabinet PR team on full throttle...the Kisha Club lapping up their words.

Yoshihide Suga was known as a "shadow" prime minister

Umm, how can he be the shadow prime minister if he's from the govt (ruling) party? Shadow implies the top opposition party leaders.

(Contd) wouldn't the shadow prime minister be Yukio Edano as he's from the opposition party?

Umm, how can he be the shadow prime minister if he's from the govt (ruling) party? Shadow implies the top opposition party leaders.

What? Shadow does not imply opposition. Rather it implies ruling from an unseen position, as in the prime minister does his bidding with his own presence being known.

^ without his own presence being known.

Japan’s new PM: Self-made and strong willed

Are these good attributes for a country’s leader? It doesn’t seem to be working out so well for the US.

"self-support, mutual support, then public support," urging self-help for individuals, though that has raised concerns he envisions a government that is cold to the weak and the needy.

I think I heard such "concerns" raised by the Japanese Communist Party leadership, but honestly, who else would be opposed to "self-help for individuals"?

Who wants a society of adults who do not "self-help", but instead depend on government to get them by?

Japan, with its massive budget deficit of 40 trillion yen, certainly must have those who can look after themselves, do so. (Unless we all start fantasizing of MMT!)

Has he got knee problems too?

My bad, it wasn't Abe. They all look the same, especially with masks on.

self-made?

his father developed Akinomiya's brand of strawberry, and was the head of akinomiya strawberry growers association.

his family seems too well fed for him to be self-made haha

definitely not a syomin he falsely claims (from syuudan syuusyoku to just a farmers kid).

guess japanese media is working hard for the government.