politics

Noda says no decision yet on reducing Iran oil imports

37 Comments
By Mari Yamaguchi

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37 Comments
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Sheesh. More backpedaling.

First they renege on the 10,00 free flights offer, now this. These politicians are all a bunch of irresponsible loose cannons. Where is the accountability?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

indecisive morons!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Too many Iran haters here! We must look on the positive side of this topic.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

We need the oil. Simple as that!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Well, that didn't take long. I suspect that after Azumi caved in to Geithner yesterday, Keidanren and a few other powerful business groups explained the facts of life to him about what would happen to the economy if Japan's oil supply were put in jeopardy.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

So the ping-pong game starts.

I just hope the Japanese government makes up it's mind before any international incident starts, like the Iranian embargo, or even a war.

Not that I'm pro-war, but I do believe Japan should start having backup sources just in case.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I'm sorry... I had to read this again -- just TOO funny!

"The apparent difference of opinion co-incided with a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, in which both men kept their jobs."

How did it coincide with the shuffle when the shuffle had nothing to do with them?

“I understand it was Mr Azumi’s view on the current state and outlook (of Japan’s oil imports),”

So it was the decision made by the person with the power to make the decision.... and yet somehow it's now only an 'opinion' and is non-binding? 4-year old kids can lie more convincingly than these stupid twits.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Japan should stand its ground and NOT kowtow to the US bullying. If the US wants to impose sanctions, which in fact is an act of war, that's their business, but they have no place trying to force other SOVEREIGN nations to do the same. China and India will rightly tell the US "diplomats" to step off. Japan is being circumspect in her decision here. If only the US could be circumspect in ANY decision... When will they ever learn? Jamais, jamais...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

China - 426000 barrels of oil per day from Iran. Does anyone other than me see a connection between Chinas massive investments in Iran and the US sabre rattling?

In order to curb Chinas growing prominence, disallowing them to have independent energy access is a great place to start.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

After Fukushima , Japan is more dependent than ever on oil -Where they get it is and should be up to Japan and no other nation,including mine(U.S.A.).as for these "Nimrods" in the diet,have you taken a look at some of OURS ???Ahhhh,,,,Politics!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Oh boy! Let's have a meeting! And another... and another...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Resource-poor Japan is heavily dependent on Middle East oil and has maintained relations with Iran in the face of pressure to ostracize the country.

penny wise, pound foolish.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

DOH!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Geithner is probably landing in Washington about now. I wonder what he will think when he hears this news.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

spudman.

Will the USA supply Japan with 10% of their oil consumption at the same rates as Iran? Doubt it?

That is the crux, Japan can't right now afford an extra impact on their economy. Friends and allies are all good till you have to bankrupt yourself on their behalf.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I doubt it, cutting oil, is cutting economic blood supply :P

1 ( +1 / -0 )

the whole idea about stop buying oil from Iran seems a bit seensless. If you look at the chart, then it is simple to redistrubute the amount of oil not sold to Japan or Italy to China or else. Iran will surely find a buyer. And if giving up the Japanese share no, who knows Japan may "get" it back later, when the crisis is over. So simply following the US approach seems not a good option.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I just hope Noda decides to do the best for his country and ignores the paranoid bleating of the U.S.A.

Of course, Iran shouldn't have nuclear arms.

But neither should the U.S.A.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The nuclear arms development allegation by Iran is just that an allegation. IAEA had failed to produce any definitive proof that it exists. The US is the one doing the saber rattling doing various war games and parking two air craft carriers in the gulf. The US and Israel is accused of sanctioned assassinations of Iranian citizens said to be linked to the nuclear program without proof within Iranian soil. Japan may or may not cave in at the end but really do not need to follow US's lead without more convincing evidence in which should be made public so that the general public can agree with the decision and not be strong armed into a decision that we may regret in the future.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It seems that this is becoming the standard modus operandi for the Noda government.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/white-house-noda-differ-over-what-he-said-to-obama-on-tpp

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Noda should have replaced 7 instead of 5 minister in cabinet reshuffle :) Better bring New Prime Minister and avoid further embarrassment.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Idiots, shows no one is in charge.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Get India, China, etc to fall inline first. Good Luck on those.

They aren't dependent on the US for security, why would they. America's best ally just blinked! Next it will bow and spend a few million on a friendship tour of young people. All will be forgotten.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Wow... so how long did that take? About 7 hours after announcing they would cut Iranian crude? They may be able to dupe the Japanese public into believing they didn't say, matter of factly, they were going to do something, but the rest of the world undoubtedly noticed the flip-flop. This one even makes Hatoyama look good by comparison!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

smithinjapan,

4-year old kids can lie more convincingly than these stupid twits.

Yes, they don't realize the rest of the world can see what's going on. Bye Bye DPJ!!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I say let Iran waste their money developing nuclear bombs, because if you are not good at it, you could make a mistake. Boom.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Yappari minshuto !

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Noda says no decision yet on reducing Iran oil imports

I doubt this. Perhaps the DPJ does not feel quite the same way about bowing to U.S. demands as the LDP with the U.S. putting them and maintaining them in power for almost all years from 1955 to present, but the DPJ cannot operate independently of U.S. demands in the end. The Noda administration is just trying to look like it is making up its own mind when it is already getting ready to accede to U.S. policy.

Japan does not need the U.S. to the extent it once did economically. But as long as the Japanese archipelago remains one occupied by the U.S. military, and the country is constrained by its constitution and general public opinion about "going it alone," Japan will not be able to refuse to follow the U.S. in matters like this.

It will take some time but Japan will find alternative countries for increased oil imports.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan is caught in an unfavourable position... does it placate it's ally (the US) and somehow try not to look like the the US puppy dog... or really take a deep look and decide what is best for her economically? I said this before.. will the US supply Japan with 10% of it's oil needs?? especially at the same price Iran offers it? I think not! It is high time for Japan to start weaning itself from the US... it has China right next door and can get favourable energy deals from Russia. These are geopolitical partners with whom Japan should be doing businness ... not a foreign power who has been occupying the Japanese islands for over 60 years and the bottom line is, the US will care for itself above all others. Japan, please be your own nation!!! Don't be the laughing stock of EastAsia by seliing out your sovereignty. Make your own decisions that will benefit the people of Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Carefulness is not a fault.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Unbelievable.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Anyway, why is the word 'opinion' misused so badly? Telling someone you agree to do something is NOT an opinion. Saying you think something is good or bad, for example, is. Japan has DEFINITELY embarrassed itself yet again in the political arena.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Patrick HattmanJan. 14, 2012 - 12:03PM JST

It will take some time but Japan will find alternative countries for increased oil imports.

So what? China would get low cost Iran oil, but Japan would get 'world $oil$ market'.

This is game with Iran oil favorably only for the USA-China union.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Get India, China, etc to fall inline first. Good Luck on those.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I think it is good as it would hurt the Japanese economy a lot. Got to look out for No.1 foremost.

And it also in line with other countries not supporting the actions.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Japan better get in line on this one. We're not going to put up with this for long.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Japan has to decide if it wants to be with the US on the Right Side of History or with the failed states.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

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