Kamei looking to form new political party to counter DPJ

Shows how much Kamei isn't in touch with the real world.I suppose Japans dept will just disappear. Consumption tax is a necessity to pay for the ageing population and the TPP for the growth of Japan and the inclusion in the global economy, or, maybe Kamei would just like to close the door , turn off the light. I think he is using all politicians rhetoric by using the phrase,"The government needs to listen to the voices of the people" So far I don't hear any voices of the people,maybe now they should start listening and saying,and start challenging the incompetences of these politicians.

Finally a light at the end of the tunnel.

I hope that does not fall into the temptation of receiving money from pachinko funding, this is the real plague to be fought in Japan.

I believe that Kamei's main support stream is from agriculture, hence his stance that Noda is not listening to HIS people or that minority will get weaker. What is really odd is the fact that he heads up a party already (PNP), so why bother start a new one? Why not just ensure taht the party charter is one that more people are aligned to, then he might get some more votes and seats.

If allowing rice to be freely imported from the US is included in the TPP then I think that it would spell either doom for Japanese rural communities or more likely an even higher level of government involvement in their subsidy. There is too much culture invested in rice production for it to be liberalised and imported from the US.

When the Japanese increase VAT their economy suffers. Japanese purse strings are often controlled by housewives who personally pay VAT, but do not personally pay income tax. That is why it makes sense to increase income tax and not VAT in Japan.

The debt is horrible but rather than raise tax I think that they should cut public spending and privatise as much as possible.

Whoa, I don't get it!

Kamei is already the head of a centre-right political party and now he wants to form a new one?

Isn't that kinda illegal or something?

kamei, just do Japan a favor & GO AWAY!

The "real" reason he's doing it now is because he wants to collect the subsidies to political parties. The subsidies to political parties is determined by the number of members (Parliament) they have as of Jan. 1st of each year. The only guy I like from PNP is Mikio Shimoji from Okinawa.

Shizuka Kamei? He already leads the People's New Party but wants to start a new one to show his opposition to Kan. That just shows weak leadership to me - presumably he can't even get the backing of his own people. The problem with Japanese politics is it's full of factions who are not really aligned ideologically and only partner out of expediency.

Well if he teams up with Ishihara the party's new name might start with the words "national socialist .."

Well done, Mr Kamei go for it! The more infighting within the DPJ will kicks off larger chaos in the Japanese government which will further obstructing Japan's recovery from havocs! I pity the Japanese people who has no 'say' for their country run by a group of statesmen who never knows how to run a state! Maybe someday they will realizes a one party political system is the hope to save them out of turmoils caused by multi-parties system

I think that the real issue here, much as it is in the States is a need for more and more ordinary people to take an active interest in politics and vote. The Japanese ordinary people must have their voices heard.

I for once have to agree with just a guy, great comment amigo!

Kamei, Ishihara and the Sunset Party: the Geriatric Loser Party (GLP) would be a good name for them.

Political parties here are a dime a dozen. When we say 'party', we don't mean THAT party which you organize every weekend. By the way, has Shizuka-chan slimmed?

Like Michael Craig, I'm confused by this. If Kamei is a member of the People's New Party, which was set up by crazy former LDP members, why is he going to set up yet another party?

All I can say to Mr Noda is HOLD YOUR COURSE! :)

All he wants to get is some defectors who are against the TPP leave the DPJ and join his party. He will give the party a new name so that it is no obvious.

So he's going to quit yet again, and I guarantee he'll quit his new and meaningless party once he realizes that he's not the center of the universe and no one is revolving around his ideas. At the very least, he'll seek to form a coalition with whatever party's in power next election. Maybe he can take the idiots Hatoyama and Ozawa with him, both who reneged on leaving the party themselves (well, okay, Hatoyama only reneged on giving up his seat).

To paraphrase what Kamei thunders forth, the TPP is America's tactics to prevent Postal Revisal law from being established and help AIG snatch the funds collected in the postal life insurance (Kampo) and the mutual benefit society (Kyosai). So wait and see for the time what will happen to the sellers and buyers of the CDS (derivatives) for the sovereign bonds of EU countries while dallying with a new party idea or something.

I am a minority here. He has to introduce his official platforms to the public. I will conclude if I will support him or not from there. So far, I am for him.

the TPP is America's tactics to prevent Postal Revisal law from being established and help AIG snatch the funds collected in the postal life insurance (Kampo) and the mutual benefit society (Kyosai)

You've got it. seiharinokaze.

US wants both Kampo and Kyosai money. When both are combined, they are the largest savings in the world. The US had no choice but bailing out AIG in 2008 as many domestic and internatonal retirement funds were (still are) all tied with AIG. Do I trust AIG (underwriting), hell 'NO". Many Kamei haters do not understand this.

globalwatcher: Do you honestly believe he's against the TPP because of how it would affect postal reform when he was against the current system before the idea of joining the TPP talks was put forth? Seems pretty clear he's just using the TPP and the power of the people against it to further his personal vendetta -- or his petulant ranting, if you will.

he's against the TPP because of how it would affect postal reform?

Yes, smith, I sure do. It is one of many other reasons, I believe he is against the TPP. I was in panic when the US financial sector was crumbling down by the MINUTES here. I was in the front line witnessing all of there scary developments here.in 2008 and on the 9/11. My big concern today is a big exposure of Morgan Stanley to Euro that is getting worse instead of getting better. Hope your retirement investment has been parked at the right place.

smith, I need to emphasize the economics and law go together when talking about the TPP. I do not care if he is doing this for hs ego boosting or not. That's my point.

I agree with GW. But he should take Ozawa with him. And if Kamei cries one more time, I am going to puke!