Abe expected to win leadership race despite flat ratings

As expected from the LDP cronies

If PM Abe decides to stand for the fourth term , he will win with flying colours.

---"Abe gets people as excited as cold pizza but will win because he co-opts, sidelines and intimidates potential LDP rivals, and doesn't have to worry about tepid public support because the opposition has imploded," said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University Japan campus.---

That explains all, LDP backers YES, public support NO. Political unfairness in Japan, continues...

In a simple world, there are two types of the same thing, one good and one bad. This one with the 'Word Abe'.

Abe Shinzo - A bad Politician

Abe Hiroshi - A handsome good actor

I don 't support any political party but was really hoping for Koizumi...for a change.

Best guy for the job. Gotta go strong on defense. Finish up on TPP and get Trump in. Recognize Taiwan diplomatically. My full support.

Buy gold.

The AvengerToday  11:39 am JST

Time for Abe and his gang to expire like a magazine subscription.

The time for that was at least twenty years ago.

Time for Abe and his gang to expire like a magazine subscription.

Prison.

Yokoso 10% GST tax next year.. Lobbyists are doing a great job...

BakabonPapaToday  10:49 am JST

The LDP is out of touch with reality.

They know how to dupe elderly country folk and game the system so they can keep winning elections, though.

voiceofokinawaToday  11:08 am JST

How could he ever say he has "responsibility to respond to the mandate of the people" when in fact his supporting votes would come only from a fraction of LDP lawmakers in the Diet and LDP-registered members?

It sounds better than admitting that he won because LDP voters are over-represented and almost half of the electorate couldn't be bothered to vote at all.

"It is my responsibility to respond to the mandate of the people," Abe told reporters during a trip to southwestern Japan. “I am resolved to steer Japan for another three years as LDP president and prime minister."

How could he ever say he has "responsibility to respond to the mandate of the people" when in fact his supporting votes would come  only from a fraction of LDP lawmakers in the Diet and LDP-registered members? Or does "the people" here refer only to these people?

Good to see the political stability in Japan.

The LDP is out of touch with reality.

It's already been decided in a smoky club or bar around Ginza by Abe, his cronies and his backers. Favours due, favours owed, family obligations, they will all have had a say. That's democracy, J-style.

Ganbare Japan!, Abe is the only man for the job, not the best man. Do you see the difference ?

PM Abe is the best man for the job. He will become the longest ever Japanese PM, a period of economic boom and growing Japanese strength in the world. PM Abe will take Koizumi Shinjirō under his wings as "apprentice", and will hand over the reign to him in 2023, once Constitution Reform has been realized.

@ papigiulio,

Totally agree, i can here the nation quietly say shoganai. Very sad.

I think people just gave up by now. There is noone better. No on dares to challenge Abe, people are fed up. For the love of god lets hope he doesnt make things worse.

With China's back up, Abe will win another term. I hope Abe will honor his words to visit China in October. Abe is an extremely lucky man, he gets all opportunities to be a great PM: October 1978, Deng visited Japan for a good-will trip. Will Abe deliver in his October visit 40 years later ? We all wish Abe the best.

"Abe gets people as excited as cold pizza..."

Cold, stale pizza with no cheese, tomato or other toppings on it. Jeffrey Kingston has obviously never read some of the hilarious attempts by pro-Abe people to talk him up like he's the greatest statesman ever, though. I imagine a few of them will be along soon with their usual "great job Abe san, stay the course, only you can lead Japan" nonsense.

Abe and the lie / corruption machine.

If you didn't have to fight for your right to express yourself freely and openly, this right here is the outcome.