politics

Abe arranging meeting between Trump and parents of Megumi Yokota

33 Comments

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Trump is not the right person to ask. He is going to Japan to instigate Japan to create WW lll.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Yusuke OhkawaOct. 13  10:46 am JST

Seriously, what's up with everyone's deal with Abe.

How long have you got?

I honestly think he's doing a pretty good job. ... He is actually one of the few leaders here to open up doors for foreigners and provide a huge amount of visas.

Is he? Got some statistics to back that up?

And is actually trying to better up the economy.

I'm not all that impressed by "trying." What has he succeeded at?

Yusuke OhkawaOct. 13  10:56 am JST

When people hate you people are going to hate you regardless of what you do. It does not matter what you explain or give people the most logical reason.

It goes both ways. For instance, I haven't read any convincing, logical reasons for supporting Abe in either of your comments.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ask to Kim. The abductees are in N. Korea, not in USA. Trump is refusing diplomatic relations that Tillerson convinced China.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

MarkX: You are correct that Koizumi went to NK and brought back some of the abductees, but it was Abe, when he was just a member of the Diet who had the courage to meet with abductee families and he was the first to do so -- I saw it on the TV. Until then, the abductee issue was the unspoken issue of Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Vernon Watts, it was Koizumi who brought back the first abductees, and was planning on softening Japan’s stance towards NK, until the LDP heavy weights stepped in. Abe only rode on his coattails!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Nothing but heart felt sympathy for the parents, nothing but contempt for the LDP making the parents loss an issue for over 20 years to benefit themselves. Not even talking to NK at the moment what can they possibly achieve except breaking broken hearts over and over again at election time.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The White House has announced that the president will visit Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines from Nov 3-14 amid rising regional tensions due to North Korea's nuclear threat.

While in the area, President Trump should offer to meet with the North Korean leader to discuss ways of easing regional tension.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

But Trump's intervention is a cynical ploy and Abe must surely know this.

That's politics, one hand washes the other. Abe needs the votes the confidence, Trump needs the exposure and something different to show that the US is committed to being a strong ally for Japan.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Not knowing the fate of one's child, not being certain after all this time... I'd be still "milking it" for all it's worth. If I hadn't succumbed to grief in the meantime.

But Trump's intervention is a cynical ploy and Abe must surely know this.

Heartbreaking and sickening all at once.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Just to keep the old pot simmering... how low can Abe get?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Abe knows no shame. Surprise surprise he announces this pre-election. Then if and when it backfires via Trumpisms...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Over 20 years ago... and still milking it.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Not one of you know that the whole abductee issue was radioactive until Abe got the courage to meet with abductee families over 20 years ago...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

NorthernlifeToday 11:26 am JSTPoliticians

Politicians will do anything for a vote its pretty disgusting...

Yea I get it, So everything he does that is considered good is going to be for votes right? So I am assuming he's not allowed to do anything good?  Can you please tell me where you got your proof that he's doing this for votes.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Agree with many of the above posters. The fact that Abe wants to exploit this tragedy really needs to send alarm bells off in the Japanese public as to how low, manipulating, and conniving this man really is. He is really really dark to pull this crap off

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Move on !

Japan loves the victim role.

Compare with innocent NK poor citizens who starved to death by hundred of thousands, if not millions, in the 90's. Megumi-san may likely have been one of them.

Compassion is not to be one-sided politician tool.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"He promised he will do his best to rescue the Japanese abduction victims"

Yeah, by nuking the place and then claiming there was no alternative.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Well, I learned one thing growing up. When people hate you people are going to hate you regardless of what you do. It does not matter what you explain or give people the most logical reason. If they hate, they going to hate and that's not going to change. So my suggestion is don't even waste time on those people. You can't change those people.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Seriously, what's up with everyone's deal with Abe. I honestly think he's doing a pretty good job. At least better than most previous primes ministers. All the stuff about "he's just trying to reel in votes."  is just an personal/emotional assumption and you guys have absolutely no proof at all. Like think about it if you were in his shoes. What the hell can he do? Now If he chooses to decline to help the family, the same people are going to complain about "what a heartless prime minister, blah blah." He is actually one of the few leaders here to open up doors for foreigners and provide a huge amount of visas. And is actually trying to better up the economy. He's actually quite active and less talk for a politician.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

It really is sickening how Abe is using this issue - and the parents - in a grubby vote-grab. The issue gets rolled out whenever elections are called, promises made etc. Shameful - but nothing less than to be expected of Abe.

THIS! So much. This action by Abe is absolutely disgusting. bah

8 ( +10 / -2 )

If This Defacto President Donald Trump don't give a damn about his own American people and racist against everyone who's not an Alt Right Nazi Member and hates American People why do Premier Abe think he give a damn about japanese people, Abe is so far Up Donald Trump it makes you wonder what scheme are they cooking up don't trust Trump Don't Trust Abe at All

11 ( +13 / -2 )

SchopenhauerToday 08:32 am JSTI do not like these couple. They are appealing their private unhappiness of losing their daughter too much to the society. There are many many people in Japan who became unhappy because of the war. Kidnapping Japanese from Japan happened since Japan and North Korea are still at war. We do not have foreign relations with North Korea.

What are you talking about "still at war"? During WWII all of Korea was part of Japan. South and North Korea were not created until after WWII was over. During the time period of North Korean abductions, 1977-1983, Japan was not "at war" with anybody. Not having foreign relations does not automatically establish a state of war.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

Haven't they suffered enough....

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Good on Trump on helping out with this issue. The kidnaps by NK are a dark crime and they should never be forgotten or forgiven. This heinous event should be kept in the media spotlight permanently regardless of how much the NK appeasers want to forgive and forget

-19 ( +2 / -21 )

I'm curious what Trump plans to do to help rescue these people...

16 ( +17 / -1 )

I do not like these couple. They are appealing their private unhappiness of losing their daughter too much to the society. There are many many people in Japan who became unhappy because of the war. Kidnapping Japanese from Japan happened since Japan and North Korea are still at war. We do not have foreign relations with North Korea.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

These poor, sad people. Totally ignored for years (even though the LDP knew exactly what was going on with the abductions but refused to admit it), then taken out of the closet and paraded around to boost Abe's political career.

The hypocrisy and cynicism are stomach churning.

18 ( +22 / -4 )

What degree of sociopathy enables one to use grief as a means to score political points? For crying out loud, if he's achieved nothing on the matter for the past five years, how the hell is he going to achieve anything in next five? How can 'voters' be so mind numbingly naive?

19 ( +22 / -3 )

It really is sickening how Abe is using this issue - and the parents - in a grubby vote-grab. The issue gets rolled out whenever elections are called, promises made etc. Shameful - but nothing less than to be expected of Abe.

22 ( +26 / -4 )

I know that the Yokotas want to get their daughter back, or at least find out what happened to her, but being political pawns for Abe and for Trump is so demeaning for them. I hope the Japanese people see this stunt for what it really is and vote out Abe and his bunch of old, tired, vision-less, troglodytes.

23 ( +28 / -5 )

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