Opposition leadership hopefuls say snap general election poses risks

Well, every election in Japan poses risks. Just look at the revolving door of idiots that have caused scandal after scandal and driven the economy and image of the country into the ground. And, isn't "opposition" a somewhat negative word? The JT reporting and "moderation" seems so biased at times. Other readers' thoughts?

Opposition? I really don’t see a viable opposition in Japan.

No anger when J politicians take to lectern to debate. It is quite the "feather duster" approach.

J politics is crying out for an opposition to ruling government...

Koizumi, Ishiba under siege in LDP leadership debate

https://www.arabnews.jp/en/japan/article_130474/

LDP Presidential Election Debate: Determination Alone Does Not Qualify Someone to Be Prime Minister

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20240915-211328/

The leadership battle is expected to be fought out between Noda and Edano, with Izumi and the only female runner, Harumi Yoshida, considered outsiders.

The two has-beens are the front runners, then. That's really depressing.

The LDP should be banned from constantly calling snap elections to keep opposition parties off balance.

Time to end the political monopoly and endless corruption.

Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda appalling earthquake tsunami crisis management failures, the loss of over 20 000 lives triggering a devastating nuclear meltdown since Chernobyl will stay buried in the nation soul.

Opposition needs new leadership that offers alternative innovative change, inspired policies on education, on depopulation, the economy, healthcare etc.

A new approach, most of all a charismatic strong in character leaderships team.

Noda? The guy was instrumental in handing over the govt reigns back to LDP in the aftermath of 2011 events. Hopeless.

What a bunch of numpties. The LDP has got nothing to worry about!

The bigger news story is there is actually an opposition in Japan

itsonlyrockroll -

Throwing out the disingenuous bait that somehow Noda was responsible for 20,000 deaths just highlights the ineptness of neo-cons. Pick a tune, Play the fiddle.

Every aspect of the infrastructure that was devastated that terrible day was there because of the decades of watch, wink and rule of Jiminto.

And the never ending cycle of calling Snap Elections by LDP leaders to, you know - seek a fresh mandate - is just a ploy to extend their stint in power.

Normal PM term is 4 years.

Serve for 2 years, then call a snap election at an optimal time ie "boogey man crisis" and add on another 4 years for what amounts in reality to an extended term of 6 years.

Public falls for it all the time.

A crock!

itsonlyrocknrollToday  09:32 am JST

Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda appalling earthquake tsunami crisis management failures, the loss of over 20 000 lives triggering a devastating nuclear meltdown since Chernobyl will stay buried in the nation soul.

Due in part to the LDP and its allies vilifying the DPJ when they were just as culpable if not more so. Not to say that the DPJ did a good job but they do make very convenient scapegoats.

Opposition needs new leadership that offers alternative innovative change, inspired policies on education, on depopulation, the economy, healthcare etc.

More than that they need candidates. The LDP always has the numerical advantage because it's so well funded. You might really like a party's leader and policies but that doesn't matter at all if they don't have a candidate in your area. Why does no one ever seem to get it.

They should hold the general election BEFORE the LDP chooses their Aso puppet. Not that Aso will pay any attention to what the public wants, but at least there would be some kind of record. Oh, who am I trying to kid? The LDP doesn't care about the country or its people at all. Just how much power and money they can hold onto.

I can see why most Japanese people hold their noses and vote for the LDP. I wouldn't trust this lot to run a lemonade stand.

The opposition? I see! I thought someone was being sarcastic. Anyway, if betting was allowed on the japanese election all my money would be on the usual party retaining control.

CapuchinToday  08:50 am JST

The LDP should be banned from constantly calling snap elections to keep opposition parties off balance.

Well its not like the opposition didn't know one would be coming. They've had years to prepare.

Browny1 Simon,

Yoshihiko Noda government attempted to draw a veil over the evacuation programme from Fukushima.

The policies enacted behind closed doors subsequently failed to gain cross party LDP support especially in respect to the expectations of affected residents.

This action later played politically into the hands of the LDP.

These behind closed doors policies, supposedly tasked to bureaucrats, all having differing schedules on the crucial issues created confusion delays leading to an overhastily prepared declaration that the “emergency period" was over.

Also the assumption that decontamination could be completed by early 2017 was an example.  

The Abe san LDP politically, ruthlessly milked this confusion for all it was worth in the Diet.

All the statements from bureaucrats in charge, insisting that Noda government actively were “standing beside disaster victims." Mysteriously were delated.

It is clear that Noda could not remotely be held responsible for the loss of 20,000 lives, or the devasting tsunami that followed.

However in the here and now former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will always be associated with the outcomes, however disingenuous or unwarranted.

Roger GusainToday  11:23 am JST

I can see why most Japanese people hold their noses and vote for the LDP.

They don't. Check the voter turnout rate and the LDP's share of the vote for the last few elections.

I wouldn't trust this lot to run a lemonade stand.

But you would trust the LDP?

Simon FostonToday  01:06 pm JST

But you would trust the LDP?

They both may run the lemonade stand but if the opposition can run the stand a bit better. And make my lemonade a bit sweeter, then why not?