Japan PM candidates seek ties with like-minded nations amid China's rise

The problem with a lots of Japanese leaders,that they do not think like others , leaders only obsessed with their fail brand of Japanese culture politics

Economic measures, foreign policy, and security all have their own issues, and the arguments of the candidates for the next prime minister are all insufficient.

As long as Japan has a security treaty with the United States, economic cooperation with communist countries like China and Russia will be difficult.

It is difficult to come up with an economic policy to take advantage of the historic depreciation of the yen.

The territorial disputes over the Northern Territories and Takeshima, as well as the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea, have not yet been resolved.

The next prime minister will be asked to think about how to deal with these issues.

At 186cm (6ft 1), Kobayashi is one head taller than the other candidates, none of whom reaches 170cm. He’d look good on the international stage.

Name on thing Japanese leaders share with American,a country that is multicultural,when you at least he mercy of other cultures,you cannot be one sided by your own culture

Foreign policy, economic policy, blah, blah, blah. What about all the corruption in the LDP? No further investigation of the slush funds and kickbacks? Over 80 LDP members implicated and no accountability. If any of us did this we would be hauled before the tax office for tax evasion. These people live off our taxes and spend it like kids in a candy store. Get the LDP out.

A multi Mug Shot works, you can do a comprehensive comparison, LOL

Why do Japanese leaders think others care about them,if they bring nothing to the table,but being at the mercy of other,if Japanese leaders bring nothing significant to the table,they should not expected to be served

Based on the arrangement of the candidates on stage, Kamikawa, Koizumi, and Kato seem to be favored. I would think Koizumi is too young and has yet to be accepted as leadership material.

Given Kamala's lead over Trump, the LDP might be willing to select a woman for PM...

"Bilateral relations" with the government of China have to be built on a firm solid foundation, both government's respecting basic human rights, exclusive economic zones, Japan air, sea, land, it trading shipping routes from threat and harassment.

Bulling political economic interference.

Respecting historic past divergences, grievances now need to be fully accepted and move on.

All candidates must accept that reform must actually mean action not words.

There is no debate among the LDP candidates about the increase of military spending.

Japan will follow the American model and will ignore infrastructure spending.

American weapons manufacturers will make big profits.

Only Kobayashi makes a good statement about China and the need to "seek stable and constructive relations that benefit both economies".

Is the US trying to sabotage the economic development of... Japan?

Bellflower,the US got a trillion dollars bill for shovel ready project, money ready to ship out the door

Can these Japanese leaders think of one world leaders,that think.like them,with their closed minded Japanese centrist thought, even Japanese in America do not think like them , even Senator Maize Hirono who was born in Japan

Looking at the picture, it is lucky they are not being judged for their calligraphy!

The public cannot choose!

Why do they pretend that it’s an election?

Several ideas here, but I think (for what that's worth) that the best course is to pursue increased security relations with like-minded partners, and increased economic/diplomatic (non-security) relations with other partners, including ASEAN/the Global South.

On both of these, Japan is already doing relatively well - increased security cooperation with democracies (Australia, the Philippines etc.), and strong ties with other nations (as Japan actually listens and addresses their needs without "talking down" to them, as some developed nations do).

"Direct talks" with China or North Korea, as Koizumi mentions, are largely pointless, as neither country is interesting in cooperating, and both will break every promise they make. Furthermore, China actively wants to dominate the region, so "stable and constructive relations" are not possible with this aggressive, totalitarian state.

BigP -- That sounds just like the US. Apparently, there are NO good politicians in Japan anywhere. Even neighborhood association are rife with corruption. Even their children are bad. Why, in the US we have straight dudes and dudettes who are competent, not on the take, honest as Abraham Lincoln, and who refund election donations when they lose back to their supporters. Maybe Japan should look into running an Honest John American to put their house in order. Japan politicians. . .they don't know a thing.

Isabelle,what do Japanese leaders have to offer,when you at the mercy of other,that you have nothing to offer them,but your insecurities

YrralToday 10:47 am JST

Isabelle,what do Japanese leaders have to offer,when you at the mercy of other,that you have nothing to offer them,but your insecurities

No idea what this means.

Perhaps it makes sense in the original Chinese.

It means that Americans do not care about protection of nobody,but themselves,if you are not an American tough luck

Is the US trying to sabotage the economic development of... Japan?

Nope. The LDP is already doing that by themselves.

Only thing China want to dominate the US market,with 100 of billion of 1.25 cent , something Japanese cannot offer American shoppers

Just talk soup, Japan is heavily rely on China not just economy or security. Japan 's aging and uncompetitive society is just causing her decline. Someday Japan will be no longer qualified sitting in G7 league. Does those like minded countries continue to support if Japan slide down like a third world country ? Japan critically needs China and the Chinese money to survive !

Sanae Takaichi appears to be someone who is not afraid to stand up to China (and other bad neighbors),

someone who can consolidate Japan's goals on the world stage and protect the identity of the Japanese people,

someone who can help Japan break free from the American leash that Japan has been on since the end of WWII.

—

We all agree that Japan needs to be Japan, one of the strongest and most unique countries in the world.

They "next PM candidates" who still prioritize politics game inside party or buying more weapons from US than citizen facing many difficulties.

LDP government including them have Not completed even minimum restoration of infrastructure at Noto peninsula where over 8 months passed from quake hit new year's day, let alone reconstruction.

Sanae Takaichi knows nothing of politics but she knew how to play the game.Her husband was a high ranking LDP faction leader, she just read out the script edited by her husband. She is more like an actor than a politician !