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Japan pledges $2.8 billion in refugee aid over three years

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Japan pledges $2.8 billion in refugee aid over three years

Ok, more money we don't have, thank you very much...not!

While Japan has been a major donor in helping deal with an international crisis presented by a record 21.3 million refugees globally, it has taken in only a tiny number of refugees itself.

Back during the first Gulf War many people around the world complained that as an ally of the coalition fighting against Sadaam Japan only sent money, history is repeating itself again, and again.

Oh and the wold "tiny" should be minuscule or microscopic

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

If countries around the world stopped exporting weapons used for killing to countries like Iraq,Syria,Saudi Arabia then the world wouldn't have so many refugees in the first place. And with the extremist violence in France,Germany and the US, the last thing Japan would do is take in refugees.....

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Would this money not be better spent on issues here in Japan? Like building more day care centers or helping Kumamoto rebuild etc?

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Why are refugees more deserving of the money than poor Japanese people?

6 ( +12 / -6 )

the price of no immigrants to Japan

10 ( +10 / -0 )

What happen to charity begins at home? Spending more of much needed Japanese funds on refugee aid? There's a lot of unseen poverty in Japan, yet Mr Abe is sending out of the country such large sums as donation. Help the impoverished and the disadvantaged first in Japan and then the rest of the world.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

No matter how much money Abe pledges or gives to international organisations and other countries, he will never be taken seriously unless he starts acting and behaving like grownups.

And as most of the people have already commented: "Charity begins at home"

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It's much cheaper to help refugees living in or near their own countries than to transport them half way around the world and have them live in a culture they do not respect and, in many cases, reject outright.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Another attempt to buy a seat on the Security Council. Anyone notice the paid advert in WAPO run by the Foreign Ministry about Japan's good works in Africa? Shameless, and a shameless use of taxpayer money.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I would hazard a guess that this is a token effort to take the pressure off Japan actually physically taking in refugees. Have to admit though, seeing the scenes of unrest , tension, community divisions, violence and lawlessness in the European countries like Sweden and who tried to do the right thing by taking in refugees one has to take pause, reflect and think maybe Japan has actually called this one right this time. Its an absolute shemozzle. A global problem that needs a global solution but those that put their hands up got burned, big time. Trying times ahead.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Buying power... this money is far better spent in Japan on things like tsunami victims (still living in temp housing) and building more day care schools

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It always amazes me how Herr Abé can throw money - that his country already owes - to other countries while not only Kumamoto (the most "recent" case) but even now, in Fukushima, the residents still have no "decent houses" to speak of... "Charity should DEFINITELY start at home..."

Moderator: Please repost without the word "Herr." Abe is not German.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"It always amazes me how Abe can throw money - that his country already owes - to other countries while not only Kumamoto (the most "recent" case) but even now, in Fukushima, the residents still have no "decent houses" to speak of... "Charity should DEFINITELY start at home..."

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Why don't Japanese voters care? Abe's just throwing their tax money around the place :(

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Deplorable. There are plenty of problems in his home country and he throws money at this refugee program which is just causing more cultural division and terrorist attacks in Europe and America. Shame on you Abe for being a part of this disgusting agenda.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Japan has the right idea it's better to give the money than accept the immigrants. Look at Europe the numbers they have taken in and look at what it's costing and they can't get rid of them! The bombs are just starting to go off in the US it's just a matter of time the US start having the same problems trying to converts thes useless people to be Americans! The fire works just started!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Maybe someone should send "The Art Of Parenting " link on JT to Abe. They really could use the money.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

goldeneagleSEP. 20, 2016 - 09:33AM JST

unless he starts acting and behaving like grownups.

What do you mean by that? Is it to tell President Obama "You started all the mess in Syria"?

If you think accepting refugees would solve the problem, you are dead wrong. The only way to solve refugee crisis is to stabilize Syria. In this regard, neither the US nor EU is behaving like an adult. And the recent news says that the US air raid mistakenly hit government forces in Syria and jeopardized cease fire agreement. That would surely create more refugees.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

"the price of no immigrants to Japan"

calling it a price implying japan is forced to pay which isn't true, they could sit out like china, or even the gulf states are doing

2 ( +3 / -1 )

What do you mean by that? Is it to tell President Obama "You started all the mess in Syria"?

If you think accepting refugees would solve the problem, you are dead wrong. The only way to solve refugee crisis is to stabilize Syria. In this regard, neither the US nor EU is behaving like an adult. And the recent news says that the US air raid mistakenly hit government forces in Syria and jeopardized cease fire agreement. That would surely create more refugees.

Strange interpretation but wrong. My point was grown ups first get their house in order before pledging, urging, advising others, throwing money at countries and causes Japan has nothing to do with. A lot of problems at home are mentioned already by the posters including homeless people from Fukushima, Day Cares for working mothers, health care of old, nuclear mess in Fukushima and not to mention the famous failures of famous Abenomics. While we pay at least 25% of our hard earned money to the J-Govt for taxes and pension scam, Mr. Abe throws billions of dollars for what?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"I'm throwing $2.8billion at the middle east" says Abe pulling the ISIS finger point.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I agree japan has absolutely no obligation to let in immigrants who do not understand or reject the culture they are being brought into. Yet again this money is better spent at home, for relief after all these earthquakes and typhoons.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

A lot of people are commenting about using the money inward (in Japan) for disaster relief and social security....True is that with that money a lot could be done.

BUT... there are some points to be considered.

First... is part of the national budget, there is a budget assigned to disaster relief and social security. (yes, money can be reassigned... I know I know)

Second... As a world leading country, being the third Economy in the World and seeking for a more proactive participation in world politics, Japan has to give this type of aid. Paraphrasing some comments "doing the adult thing".

Third... What would be the wolrd reaction, and even the reaction of some commentators in here if Japan said that they are not going to give a dime to refugee aid and use that money for internal affairs. Surely a maelstrom of criticism and mediatic/international condemnation will erupt.

Forth... Politics. People in here comments as if running a country, is just one sided bidimensional work. I hardly doubt that. You have to pull, push, give, take and manage every thing from social security to health, to national defense to world economics with limited money and resources.

I admit my first thought was to use that money internally, but that is too simplistic. I don't know what are the pieces on the board but the "adult way" is to use part of the money for refugee aid.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Well with his proposed changes to the constitution, I've been saying that Japan will have to take part not just in combat but in cleanup and fallout from wars, specifically regarding refugees. As ppl have said, this is a way to do that without allowing any in. I'm not convinced the changes are a good idea, but I'm pleased that he seems to recognise that increased responsibility.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It sad for what's happening to the people in the Mideast, but I think Japan (or any other country) really needs to help their own citizens first, especially those countries that aren't involved with creating the mess there (although Abe seems like he's willing to have an active role). But even for the meddler, the USA, if only they spent their money on their own people instead of the military operations causing this mess in the first place, then there'd be less sad people in this world.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The refugees can get laborers jobs ion Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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