politics

Ruling party kicks off race to pick Suga's successor

57 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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57 Comments
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"Ruling Party Kicks Off Race to pick Taro Kono".

11 ( +15 / -4 )

P. Smith Today  05:06 pm JST

Love the masks and social distancing in the photo. Nothing like setting a good example for people.

Masks and social distancing are only requests :-)

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Sanaenomics

Pfft.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Like a choice between cheap shoes at ABC Mart I suppose.

Anyone but Takaichi though, she’s proper mental.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Depressing beyond words.

itsonlyrocknroll 07:52 pm JST

All are the jaded political continuation of the past, stale mediocrity, not a single funded costed policy for change in any sector.

Energy, climate change, any recognizable economic reform, nothing, zero.

No published personal manifesto.

This "election" and its attendant hype in the LDP-supporting corporate media is yet another in a long line of events designed to distract the populace from the total failure of Japan's political system and it's political class.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Listening to speeches of all four candidates addressing various policy areas, I find Noda's straightforward but well-focused and strong. Though that she's unprepared as having come into the race very late.

Noda is the least hopeful candidate this time while facing the scandal regarding her spouse's profile. But she seems to get started in shape for the next or thereafter. A few key heavyweights are believed to back her not in the hope of electing her to the president, but of pulling the legs of the presumed frontrunner Kono (and of showing some alternative to Takaichi, another female candidate).

4 ( +4 / -0 )

BTW, "the hawkish stance on security" is BS bravado!!!!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

How convenient. 2 men and 2 women, 50% ratio.

"Maybe there's hope for fairness among the sexes?"

In reality a farce just to get that joker in office.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

All heads of winner, ah ah ah. Which is the least worst ?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Anybody but Takaichi. She looks like The Joker, and has an agenda to match.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

No matter who wins, they're all losers, and we all lose, too.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The opposition party Minshuto could have a great chance to take power with the failure of the LDP since the covid start. However, no strong leader and it does capitalize on what could make it stronger. Heavily criticizing the LPD on the covid policy and other failed policies and then propose alternatives

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sanae Takaichi

"An ultra-conservative former internal affairs minister, Takaichi, 60, shares Abe's revisionist views on Japan's wartime atrocities and hawkish stance on security."

OK, sounds like a fair choice.......Oh wait!!!!!!!!!!

1 ( +6 / -5 )

50% female representation, you guys on here must be so happy! Gender equality

1 ( +3 / -2 )

All are the jaded political continuation of the past, stale mediocrity, not a single funded costed policy for change in any sector.

Energy, climate change, any recognizable economic reform, nothing, zero.

No published personal manifesto.

Not one!!

The conveyor belt of inadequacy/delinquency without the political will to effect change.

The electorate have to sooner or later ask the question.

What do these four stand fore.

Taro Kono, frankly lamentable roll out of any recognizable vaccination program is an example.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And insisted you throw your hat into the ring. Farmboy,

You will need to lobby at least twenty members/lawmakers.

You are running out of time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

kennyGToday  07:19 pm JST

Do we need those inept oppositions? So useless.

You need the opposition so you can try to change the topic every time someone points out how useless the LDP are and you don't want to admit it.

This article isn't even about the opposition. No one else has mentioned them at all.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Not anyone of these.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

A drummer in a heavy-metal band and a motorbike rider as a student, she favors traditional gender roles and a paternalistic family system and staunchly supports the imperial family's male-only succession

You're telling me Takaichi is a total hypocrite? Do as I say, not as I do? What a surprise!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

At first glance, looked like the 4 were handcuffed together and were going to ‘have to duke it out’:

*- @P. Smith 5:06pm: “Love the masks and social distancing in the photo. Nothing like setting a good example for people.” -*

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The campaign is only for Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers in the Diet and grassroots members, not the general public.

More critically, the LDP election campaign is private, not subject to the Public Offices Election Act regulating irregularities. For example, there is technically no limit of money or other means to solicit votes, putting aside some ethical issues.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ishiba, who is not running this time, is the only one I support.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Alfie Noakes, there must be a clear independent curriculum for any comprehensive change.

The system is broken, although nor beyond repair.

The deal breaker, not one of these candidates are at present remotely electable.

They will all follow the past policy Inertia.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Vaccine man Kono without a silly patterned mask? Tut tut

I guess he made up for it by wearing a ridiculous yellow watch. What a moron.

Who to choose? They're all so pathetically dull and useless.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

‘The race is on!’

How exciting…..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

William BjornsonToday  03:31 am JST

The good ol' boys must be seriously terrified by Ms Takaichi that they allowed, shoved, another woman into the competition to try to split the vote. Running scared, are they?

The flaw in that hypothesis is that Abe's a good ol' boy too, and he backed her. I think it's more likely that Takaichi was encouraged to put herself forward because she's on the same ideological page as Abe and it make it look as if the push for gender equality has got somewhere.

There is no longer ANY "opposition party" in the U.S. despite words and claims and promises and their behaviors are the same as they dance around claiming it's the fault of the 'other guy' that they can't do what they promised. 

Some supporters of the government in Japan like to make that argument too, even though it's ludicrous because the opposition parties can't delay or stop any legislation while the LDP has majorities in both houses of the Diet and a compliant bureaucracy, or a bureaucracy it complies with.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

kennyGToday  09:50 am JST

Just like...

No, nothing like. Unlike smug, self-righteous uyoku bores who think they can be obnoxious arses because they can sort of string a sentence together in English, I am quite realistic about the opposition in Japan, their weaknesses and extremely limited chances of winning power. Are you ever going to criticise anyone in the LDP for anything, ever? I mean, clearly they can't be perfect or else we'd be living in a paradise and no one would never want to complain about them or vote for another party. If you're not going to acknowledge that it makes you look like a right-wing nut-job who's too deluded to face the truth, or someone who's involved with the LDP in some way. Either way, further responses to your comments are pointless.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Simon FostonToday  10:54 am JST

kennyGToday  09:50 am JST

Just like...

No, nothing like. Unlike smug, self-righteous uyoku bores who think they can be obnoxious arses because they can sort of string a sentence together in English, I am quite realistic about the opposition in Japan, their weaknesses and extremely limited chances of winning power. Are you ever going to criticise anyone in the LDP for anything, ever? I mean, clearly they can't be perfect or else we'd be living in a paradise and no one would never want to complain about them or vote for another party. If you're not going to acknowledge that it makes you look like a right-wing nut-job who's too deluded to face the truth, or someone who's involved with the LDP in some way. Either way, further responses to your comments are pointless.

Never criticizing any member of LDP doesn't mean I don't feel liking it but I just don't bother with posting those,

which is none of your business and I don't care how you like insulting me and my posts. The truth I am facing is the fact none of those inept opposition parties are trustworthy to let them rule this country.

By the way, I never start my posts by addressing them to you or your posts. It is always you that starts responding to mine which I haven't even asked for at all.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Those two were only my posts initially and I have no idea how they touched your nerve

kennyGSep. 17  06:46 pm JST

Kono or Takaichi if you really want to see a change.

> kennyGSep. 17  07:19 pm JST

LDP internal election is becoming much bigger blast than general election following.

Do we need those inept oppositions? So useless.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

ample government spending to create a “beautiful and strong Japan that grows."

Heavens what a clueless notion.

Japan is more likely to grow when people are left to spend their money , rather than central government types.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Who cares if the replacement is just as bad, it likely couldn't be much worse, and at the very least it might force the LDP to introduce some modern thinking or new ideas

Japan did try this, and they elected loopy Hatoyama to lead.

After 3 PMs in short order the electorate decided LDP was better again.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If Japan is looking for a strong leader, it's Takaichi by a landslide. I think she would make Japan great again.

Yes, of course, but such an election is in most cases electing the weakest or a notorious yes sayer, so that the second and third administrative rows have free hands and can follow their intentions undisturbed. If you need a sample, well, the one still at rudder…lol

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

My the best man win!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

How convenient. 2 men and 2 women, 50% ratio.

"Maybe there's hope for fairness among the sexes?"

In reality a farce just to get that joker in office.

If it's all men you complain, if it's half women, half men you complain. Would anything make you happy?.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The good ol' boys must be seriously terrified by Ms Takaichi that they allowed, shoved, another woman into the competition to try to split the vote. Running scared, are they?

And, for those who see Ms Takaichi as a right wing 'threat' to Japan, Japan has NOT YET sunk into dictatorship where a central 'leader' has complete control over national policy. Abe couldn't get all he wanted and neither will Prime Minister Takaichi. But, we may see some 'push back' on America's desire to place Japan in harm's way vis-á-vis China.

In America for example, when one party has failed misrely, it's all but certain that the opposition side will take control. This win-lose/give-take scenario ensures that no one ideology can maintain control indefinitely, and that new ideas or policies will be introduced.

How adorable, as if we Americans actually get to pick the 'candidates' given to us by our Rulers, Money. What real changes in 'policy' have we seen in the last twenty years despite being one of the most disastrous periods in American history, and for the American People, and for the U.S. economy? There is no longer ANY "opposition party" in the U.S. despite words and claims and promises and their behaviors are the same as they dance around claiming it's the fault of the 'other guy' that they can't do what they promised. Naw, America is a very poor example at this time for rational and equitable government.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

You can tell from the picture that the two women and the young guy with the blue tie and new ideas are never going to win. The old guy on the left with the red hued tie and stinky uncontrollable farts will take the cake.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Kono or Takaichi if you really want to see a change.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

LDP internal election is becoming much bigger blast than general election following.

Do we need those inept oppositions? So useless.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Simon FostonSep. 17  10:24 pm JST

kennyGToday  07:19 pm JST

Do we need those inept oppositions? So useless.

You need the opposition so you can try to change the topic every time someone points out how useless the LDP are and you don't want to admit it.

This article isn't even about the opposition. No one else has mentioned them at all.

Just like you always need LDP and you can't refrain yourself from referring to it when the topic is about the opposition, they aren't detachable especially when lower house election is 2months ahead. Look it's almost like no one cares upcoming general election already.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Not knowing anything about the candidates the 2 man look hypocrites Kiss-a@@ politicians.I'd rather have the either of the women

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Ruling party kicks off race to pick Suga's successor

Democracy has just about always been a sham. From Grecian elites to American slave-owners to British gentry, it has symbolized a consensus among the rulers. Japan is no different.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I guess Kishida will make it.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Takaichi, because I think leaders need to be more on the conservative side, but nowadays they never get elected. Only liberal leaders seem to have a chance.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

After reading about them Takaichi should be the only choice

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

I think Noda

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Takaichi makes no bones about standing up for Japan and makes no attempt to be PC. The others are too weak-kneed, focusing on being popular on social media, diversity issues, or making vague claims about "new capitalism" or "climate change".

If Japan is looking for a strong leader, it's Takaichi by a landslide. I think she would make Japan great again.

-13 ( +5 / -18 )

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