Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who recently clashed with city employees and human rights lawyers over his "tattoo inquisition," has disturbed commentators again this week with his comments about human rights and personal privacy.
At a meeting attended by 22 newly appointed ward mayors in Osaka on Monday, Hashimoto reportedly told attendees, "I want you to consider your lifestyle and behavior differently now than before you became a public servant," TV Asahi reported.
"I want each of you to see yourself as a person who now has no personal privacy and no fundamental human rights. I won't investigate what you did before you became a public servant; the battle begins once you take on the position," he told the successful applicants, TV Asahi reported.
The ward mayors are due to take office in August.
© Japan Today
103 Comments
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YuriOtani
Yup he is a ultra right wing nut. I would think Tojo would of said something very much like it.
Yubaru
“I want each of you to see yourself as a person who now has no personal privacy and no fundamental human rights.
While the title of the article sets the hook, I find it difficult to argue with his views about being a public servant. Maybe saying they have "no human rights" is going a bit too far, but I believe what he is trying to tell them is that they now work for the people and everything they do, both publicly and privately, should be done with the people who voted them into office in mind.
Seawolf
Well, Japanese company "sarariman" behave like this for decades already.
YuriOtani
That is not all he said “I want each of you to see yourself as a person who now has no personal privacy and no fundamental human rights." This can go far past tattoos, pity I can not vote against the Tojo want a be. Of course it is too far, will he have their homes inspected? How about installing camera's in their homes? About human rights do they waive a safe work environment? Clearly this man has no business being in public office.
Opinionhated
Yubaru, I agree the headline is a bit much, but yes, even public servants have basic human rights and I don't want any public servants all edgy, nervous and oppressed trying to serve me because they will fail miserably. Odds are, with no privacy and rights, they will meekly obey their superiors, and that is exactly what his ass clown Hashimoto wants I believe.
This guy is dangerous, and he needs to be sent packing.
USB
Then why isn't that what he said? Perhaps something was lost in translation but Mr Hashimoto is very good with words and given his track record, I believe he meant what he said.
nath
Civil Servants have an inherent right to personal privacy like everybody else.
Jimizo
@Yubaru A 'bit' too far. I'm sure Osaka's public servants would be fascinated to read your definition of extreme. This nasty little specimen is becoming more unpleasant by the day. Are Hashimoto and Ishihara swapping one-liners these days.
oikawa
LOL, at least he's honest about something that's common policy in most Japanese companies.
timeon
yep, you gotta give it to him, he is honest. unfortunately, also deranged upstairs
tmarie
I'm with Yuri on this one,
This guy is a dictator. He's trying to scare his new workers into doing whatever he wants them to do. It'll work too. When is the rest of Japan going to see what a nightmare this guy is?
The sad thing, I can see all the old oyaji nodding their head in agreement with this muttering about taxes and how "they own civil servants because they pay their salary". Funny how no one things that with regards to other companies/jobs. Just public servants.
tmarie
Oh and isn't he trying to save money? Aren't these new "mayors" a new thing that will cost the city more?
JDB829
Can anybody say "RECALL"?
DoLittleBeLate
Sure, Hashimotos's talk can be interpreted as having Kung-tsean values embedded in them.
But he must do the explaining himself. Nobody should come up with arm-polishing excuses for other people. He said what he said and he meant nothing else until he explains himself.
Ronald F Stark
I think this sick reincarnation of Adolph Hitler has crossed the line and it's time for the people of Japan to remove him from public life once and for all. If he continues to hold office his demented way of thinking will spread among the other right-wing nationalist racists out there and Japan will repeat the mistakes of its past history.
Maybe the Japanese press should give him a taste of his own medicine. Dig deep into his family history, find every skeleton in his closet, dig up those of his family as well. Remember Hashimoto, you too have no right to privacy and no human rights! Lets see how squeeky clean this wanna-be dictator really is! I'll bet he's one of the dirtiest in Japan!
What a scumbag!
mitoguitarman
First Tokyo, now Osaka--what's with big city J-folk that they love neo-fascists? It seems we should be concerned about this. Keep a plane ticket in your back pocket.
japan_cynic
Great set of comments. Relieved that (almost) no-one thinks this sort of attitude is acceptable.
Lowly
I don't like him at all, have wanted him recalled since before.
However have to say possible overreaction here. (Possible). He said THAT?!
I have gotten this from jpns before about human rights. "We don't really have human rights". They mean it more in a sense of "some are born lucky some healthy, some unlucky, unhealthy" way, and therefore, the big and strong have a responsibility to protect or take hits for the small/ weak (at least those in their family/ close to them) and not try to claim equality. Furthermore he is talking to his direct employees, so he wants them to not think selfishly and be team players. It has such a long and bloody history i n the West and has become such a fervent thing, that it is easy for us to not be able to see it as anything less than a doomsday sin (speaking against human rights).
On the other hand there is no telling what this guy will do in the future, and how far along he will string out this logic. He is scary and should b e gotten out o' ther.
Maria
In which case, why is he checking tattoos? Many of those may have been done before the person became a person who has no personal privacy and no fundamental human rights
nath
It's about time Japanese grew a set of balls and challenge this wanker, either in a court of law or by the general public ousting him through a vote of no confidence.
Probie
Oh. My. God. I hope this starts to ring alarm bells with everybody in the country. But, I doubt it will.
What about the people who got tattoos before they because a public servant?
This man is a nutcase who shouldn't be allowed to be in a position of power.
basroil
Luckily that won't fly even in Japanese court. Pretty much against the constitution to discriminate against Japanese citizens.
basroil
JDB829Jul. 04, 2012 - 07:50AM JST
Is there even a Japanese word for it?
papasmurfinjapan
This guy is such a loon he makes Ishihara look almost normal.
smithinjapan
Wow, Hashimoto is starting to make ultra-communists in China look good. I'd like Hashimoto to consider that he has no human rights, and see how that fits.
Darren Gilman
@ Yubaru, I didn't know that Teachers, City Hall Employees and Garbage Men were elected in this country... Yes, I am being sarcastic. To make such a statement as he has is beyond irresponsible. I agree that Public Servants, whether "Elected" or "Hired", should hold themselves to a higher stander than the rest of the public, but to say they have no Human Rights is inhuman.
tkoind2
Petty dictatorial idiot. Anyone who denies the existence of fundamental human rights for anyone is dangerous. A politician who does it is a fascist. And it is incumbent upon all of us to assure that he does not grow in power. He must be brought down before he can cause any serious damage. I hope the Japanese people have the good sense to send this moron packing. Before it becomes a problem for the world to worry about.
Pukey2
In that case, Hashimoto himself does not have any rights since he has a bigger role to serve. That gives journalists carte blanche when it comes to digging out all his dirt. Going by his own logic, he shouldn't even be allowed to stay in office since he has a murky background (burakumin).
YuriOtani:
Hahaha, maybe! But any case, would of said -> would have said. Just saying because you keep making this mistake.
gogogo
What the hell? I'll say it again, major Hitler complex, he needs to be taken down a few pegs
Pukey2
I wonder whether it's Japanese have a different interpretation as to what 'human rights' mean. I recall a poll (carried out a few years back and reported on JT) which said nearly half of Japanese said foreigners in Japan didn't deserve human rights.
Pukey2
typo: I wonder whether it's because...
Yubaru
Hence my reply, without seeing the Japanese version it's difficult to know what he really said. There are many ways to translate and interpret what someone says here.
Forever the optimist I believe that holding elected officials to a higher standard is something that should be a given, and while I personally DONT like much of what Hashimoto has brought to the table, I do admire him for saying what he believes and standing up for what he thinks is right.
Now I just hope, very doubtful though, that the people of Osaka see what they have elected into office and do the right thing and get rid of him at the next election. However it wouldn't surprise me one bit to see the people there liking him because he is trying to make the place fiscally sound, and responsible to the people, while taking them back 100 or so years rights wise.
Mocheake
This guy is a loose cannon whose idea of his own importance is vastly exaggerated. Someone needs to tell him to SHUT UP!
lucabrasi
There's not really anything to admire there. That nice Mr Hitler believed it was right that Jews, Communists and homosexuals should be exterminated.
Yubaru
Seriously who that matters will?
Privately I have heard quite a few people around me make comments that they actually like what he is preaching. Many Japanese people don't like the road the country is headed down with their leaders, and don't like how the younger generation does not take more responsibility for their actions or work hard, etc etc etc, and Hashimoto is on of the few, to them, that stands up and take a position.
nisegaijin
Is he willing to put this in writing? He should be losing his job after saying crap like this..
All these new officials who he addressing were probably standing there "hai! hai! hai! hai!" . Instead of forming a union at taking this lunatic out to woodshed.
timtak
Hashimoto reminds me of Ibuki Bunmei who said that human rights could be over emphasised. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1791714/posts I think that cultural psychology (since Markus and Kitayama, 1991) denies the existence of the independent individual who might have rights. If individuals are defined by their relationships then their rights are likewise. At the same time human rights are in the constitution. He wants to change that.
Yubaru
I think it's quite a bit of a stretch to compare him to Hitler though, Hashimoto is not advocating anything that you are implying here.
If you know anything about Japanese history or culture his views and opinions are based upon the people who work for the people or teach the children upholding a standard of conformity that is deeply rooted within Japanese society.
He appeals to people because he advocates their roots and what many like to think made Japanese what they are, what makes them tick inside.
INFOWARSJAPAN
Asia in general is not famous for being a place that fosters human rights. One exception is Gandhi in India and that's probably because he was educated outside Asia.
And, yes, Japan IS part of Asia.
nath
I think he was dropped on his head repeatedly as a child.
globalwatcher
And many Japanese innocent sheep are still defending him and following him to a slaughter house. Unbelievable and shocking.
Thomas Anderson
LOL outside of Japan, this guy would have been kicked out of the office immediately and laughed at. Only in Japan...
warispeace
Lots of my J-friends are being taken in again by his populist style. They are tired of the grim bureaucratic types, such as Noda, and want a charismatic leader. But guys like Hashimoto and, before him, Koizumi, all tend to be neo-liberal talking-heads, who further f... things up. The voters are left doing "Jan-ken-pon" with only these paper-thin characters to choose from.
globalwatcher
I think we already are.from the other side of globe.
globalwatcher
Japanese City Cracks Down on Tattoos
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/06/japanese-city-cracks-down-on-tattoos/
This is a news here in US about Toru Hashimoto..
tokyokawasaki
He should be fired for making such totalitarian and down right disgraceful remarks. What a nasty self-centered man.
Tom Webb
Squeezing them by the balls to get whatever Mr Hashimoto wants. Centeral government big boys need to do the same to Mr Hashimoto to get what they want.
NetNinja
Servicemen enlisted in the military sacrifice many of their civil liberties when they join. This I can understand. I can only assume Hashimoto is a very militant man. I even see his good intentions corrupting his vision. I only pray it doesn't turn hostile. He would definitely let the dogs out on his own people.
Disillusioned
That is somewhere between fascism and communism. It is definitely not democratic. I can only hope these 'people' get together and drive this old fascist into oblivia!
combinibento
So the people of Osaka preferred this guy over the other candidates? Who was the second runner-up, Kim Jong Un?!
basroil
YubaruJul. 04, 2012 - 10:08AM JST
You're right, Hitler never wanted to get rid of human rights for citizens of the state.
ka_chan
The way you become a "Hitler" is to start taking rights way from groups of people one at a time. He also used hated group to his advantage. Its unusual for Hashimoto to attack a group that is normally held in high regard. Traditionally government work is consider more prestigious. Used to be that you had to graduate from Tokyo University to go into government work. Now there are lower position but the are as a class higher than the rest. Business has been consider lower class of work; less ethics. The problem is that the new bread of politicians seems to be a result of inbreeding than elite education.
Nancy Foust
Most of what was printed about this guy in the foreign press was that he was anti-nuclear. Nothing was mentioned about him being a right wing lunatic. What initially sounded like someone growing some spine against the nuclear establishment was quite the booby-prize.
His abrupt turn on nuclear restarts makes me wonder what Noda et al have on him.
ReformedBasher
Not trying to be nasty but you are wrong. He was good at deceiving others into thinking his "policies" were all about them.
cornbread1
In his defense, I am glad he has re-introduced the word, "public servants" as opposed to govt employees or "komuin". Over the years, with the struggles in the private sector, public servants have become the soup de jour as most college grads aspire the comfort, security, and perks of a public servant. Because of all these years of coddling, I can understand Hashimoto using harsh words to make them aware that they are public servants after all.
Note: it is important to note in what context he made these statements as often, they can be taken way out of context, or we would only be reading a single frame of an entire movie.
alliswellinjapan
Calculated line of words as usual. Most likely he will apologize later saying he went a little overboard. He is no Ishihara in my view but rather a younger and thus more radical version of Koizumi just seeking targets to maintain his popularity.
globalwatcher
I'd like Hashimoto to consider that he has no human rights, and see how that fits
@smith, well said in short post. Agreed, agreed, agreed.
takoyakitora
And I would think you would have supported this 100%.
This imbecile will be the Prime Minister within three years.
Elbuda Mexicano
I love Hashimoto san! Osaka has been running hog wild for way too long, it needs to clean up its act sort of speak, many of my Japanese friends are ashamed of what happens in Osaka and they just tell me, they are NOT JAPANESE while laughing, but they are Japanese and this is why so many regular Japanese are worried at how low Osaka has fallen, yakuza or wanna be yakuza working for the Osaka city government is akan yaro??
billyshears
You mean the Jews weren`t citizens of the state?
I don`t think the Japanese consider him to be like Hitler. In fact, everything he does is based on his calculations that what he advocates will appeal to Mr. and Mrs. Average. He has purposely rounded on public workers, believing them to be the perfect scapegoat for the times. That is his association with Hitler; finding a popular scapegoat for other citizens to vent their anger and disappointments on.
AiserX
You know, it would be one terrible thing if he had this view and attitude towards the private sector and on Govt individuals. But Govt officials are certainly too comfy in their positions telling the rest of the country what to do and when that really none of you see the irony in your complaints.
Dennis Bauer
Lead by example? so that means he has also no personal privacy and no fundamental human rights!
yasukuni
Ridiculously dangerous man. Has his own politicians school to field candidates, likes the idea of dictatorships, wants to change Japan, wants to abolish the upper house, wants to fire teachers for not standing and singing kimigayo, wants to fire public servants and now says that public servants don't need human rights or privacy. Opposed nuclear power until lobbying by business groups, and still Japanese aren't worried.
He gets TV time all the time, and lots of Japanese admire him. You have to conclude that Japanese don't understand or really want democracy.
Wakarimasen
think this sick reincarnation of Adolph Hitler
why the need to use a European role model? Japan has plenty of its own.......
tmarie
I love Hashimoto san! Osaka has been running hog wild for way too long, it needs to clean up its act sort of speak, many of my Japanese friends are ashamed of what happens in Osaka and they just tell me, they are NOT JAPANESE while laughing, but they are Japanese and this is why so many regular Japanese are worried at how low Osaka has fallen, yakuza or wanna be yakuza working for the Osaka city government is akan yaro??
How on earth has Osaka been running "hog wild"? Can you get over your petty hate of Osaka and realise that this guy isn't what is needed for the city?
And if you want to take the piss out of Osaka ben, perhaps you could learn how to speak some of it? "Akan yaro"? Please!
Oh and to people who think these "ward mayors" are elected. They aren't. They have been appointed.
Aaron Stoner
This could just be a speech to slap sense into his team, like a football coach would give to his team in America. If you take everything you hear at face value, you just end up with a misconstrued view of the world.
alliswellinjapan
Aaron Stoner: I tend to agree with you and believe it to also be the general take of the people who currently support him. Those who criticize him tend to fall into the trap of taking all his calculated words at face value and thus viewed by the public as those who are incapable of seeing through them to get the real picture. He may be dangerously popular, but not to the extent that we need to fear about the nation allowing him to enforce his powers to change laws, control the army and execute people who disagree with him. So far people generally view him as someone who often goes overboard but still a rare and precious showcase of a potential leader with skills to move things forward and deliver. While he has been pretty much flawless up until now incl the periodic controversies he has caused, I am sure he will start to make mistakes as his political challenges become greater and more complicated, unless he is really, really good.
Christina O'Neill
No fundamental basic human rights? Bang goes democracy!
basroil
If it were up to this guy, he would probably pass comprehensive immigration and citizenship reform to bar all non-Japanese from any job other than limited contract language teacher jobs and to exclude people with tattoos, dyed hair, and possibly women (after all the rest) from getting citizenship. Probably make it a crime to even mention his name in a negative way.
Cos
The guy is vulgar, but not to that point. Browse "Asahi" to get the source. My Japanese is obviously too limited. JT, tell me where to find the bits I missed ? Nothing like that in my browser. From what Asahi reports in the Japanese version, he told them they now work exclusively for the interest and rights of the citizens of Osaka and they have to forget their personal private interests as long as they are in office. A bit samurai-ish, but fair, no ?
The Hashimoto team was elected. He appoints his assistants in each ward. So do all the big city mayors. He asks them to carry on his policies, as that's the point of them being elected and chosen. Nothing special.
No. They replace the departing ones.
His supporters and partners should form a union against him ?
Comme on est, on croit les autres !
Ask your hubby and your in-laws to explain you the "public works" and organization from mid-60's till mid 2000's. Ask them about the Asukakai-jiken some day when you have lots of time. Just one well documented case you can even read about in English. One case they were caught and they couldn't hide under the carpet totally. How many others ? I can think of a few...
It's famous here. The "human rights associations" in Nishi-Nakajima have stolen 10 billion yen from tax money and some more beside. But yes, they were "polite", well, you'd never hear them. And not good looking on the TV. That's subjective. I'd say their boss had the aura of Takakura Ken and if he had not managed to pass before he could be judged, in the case NHK and other TVs had devoted to the case 10% of the coverage that NK hostages got, he'd have become a star. Tmarie will say that was perfect for Osaka.
Thomas Anderson
It's 100% real. Here's the source:
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120702-00000008-jct-soci
Unbelievably the comment sections on Yahoo! (typically filled with nettouyos) agree with him, and they're of course filled with vitriolic xenophobic and racist comments. Strangely, those kind of comments magically go away when they have to use Facebook with real names to comment.
Thomas Anderson
Nevermind, turns out that even most of the Japanese people think that he is crazy, lol (although they also get some thumb downs).
CrazyJoe
There is no such thing as "human rights". They should be called "individual rights".
Thomas Anderson
I'm thinking that this is the beginning of the end of Hashimoto... he's just too "far-out" and radical for anyone's taste. People are just starting to lose a lot of respect for him, because he does and say a lot of plain old crazy things.
kcjapan
Translating Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto.
What Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto says: "I won’t investigate what you did before you became a public servant; the battle begins once you take on the position"
What most people hear: '22 new ward mayors are currently under suspicion of being ward mayors and will be investigated without regard to their individual rights or any concepts of privacy.'
What Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto means: 'I really don't care how I present myself as long as you know I'm a big tough guy who has all the power to do whatever I choose whenever I choose and you will bow down before me.'
What we conclude: Hashimoto doesn't understand the structure of democratic republics and has very little sense of how he sounds to citizen voters in a democracy.
alliswellinjapan
Thomas Anderson: Confirmed a considerably large % of people badmouthing him on yahoo. Not sure if this truly represents the actual approval ratings as I am fairly certain it is still very high. The only people I can think of who would criticize him in such colorful and emotional fashion would be the Osaka public servants themselves. Let us take a guess here.
Thunderbird2
This guy is seriously unstable... hopefully a scandal will erupt and he'll be quietly moved somewhere else, where he can do no more harm... like the Ogasawara Islands, where all he has to rule over a handful of people... and Monster Island, lol
Opinionhated
Anyone who says anyone else has no fundamental human rights should lose theirs immediately and be thrown in a jail cell to prove it.
Yubaru
Actually no he wouldn't. It's nice to think he would, but there is something called "due process" and a recall. if necessary. Look at what happened in WI in the Gov. recall, not all seems at what you might think it is.
Yubaru
Me thinks you underestimate Hashimoto. He knows very well what the heck he is doing. He is a highly trained lawyer here in Japan, and fundamentally knows what he is doing and saying as well.
People should not underestimate him. AND that is part of the problem.
kcjapan
"Me thinks you underestimate Hashimoto. He knows very well what the heck he is doing." Yubaru
What is Hashimoto doing to his image while proclaiming an inquisition standard of review for ward mayors?
Who is he appealing to, how many and where does his power come from?
What kind of loyalty is inspired by fear and surveillance?
If Hashimoto knows very well what the heck he is doing, the proof lies in performance.
How has Hashimoto changed and improved Osaka?
What is Hashimoto's achievement that requires dictatorial posturing?
Michael Craig
Toru-sama's finally showing his TRUE colours!
Cos
Thanks Thomas, Different media chose different quotes. I agree that he is becoming tiring. He should put the air-con on to refresh his head. The whole text is probably not insane and mostly encouraging, and as the intended audience were his buddies, between closed doors that would have passed. Except he is a mayor , not a 12 yr old talking in the playground. He is supposed to know the limits of what he can say in all his speeches.
He's doing harm to his own reputation. I wouldn't say the same about Noda, Kan...
Tiger_In_The_Hermitage
This man, is our Nation's hero!
INFOWARSJAPAN
Hashimoto is a civil servant, too, SO he has no fundamental human rights. Let's torture him.
tmarie
If it were up to this guy, he would probably pass comprehensive immigration and citizenship reform to bar all non-Japanese from any job other than limited contract language teacher jobs and to exclude people with tattoos, dyed hair, and possibly women (after all the rest) from getting citizenship. Probably make it a crime to even mention his name in a negative way.
Something we agree on.
The Hashimoto team was elected. He appoints his assistants in each ward.
I know for a fact that someone is coming in from outside, who is currently not one of Hashimoto's current lackeys... in physical presence that is. Interesting how everyone seems to be replaced at the same time. Has this happened before or is Hashimoto chucking out others for ones he likes better? I've got no clue on this but it seems odd to have everyone changing at once - more so when he's bringing in people who have ZERO experience in politics, running anything government related and don't have a background in this at all. Perhaps Hashi ought to be a little more careful with who he picks as I hope to good the public looks into the people he's been appointing.
Cos, I don't think El was referring to anything you are. He's got a petty hate on for Osaka and I doubt any any idea about the history of public works there.
Tmarie will say that was perfect for Osaka.
I haven't a clue what you are going on about here. What??
Thomas, cheers for the link. This made me shudder.... "維新の会の 外国人参政権 反対!!!" 114 agree, 20 disagree. Yep, Japan sure does love foreigners....
And indeed, there will be people who support him with this because they have government workers. These are the same people that claim to have a right to be nasty to government workers because 'I pay their salary" while forgetting that regards of what job you are in, sales, private school teacher, housewife....the public pays for them and their salary as well.
Mike Critchley
I'm confused...should Hashimoto wear a big, red clown nose because he's so obviously stupid and up to unbelievable antics...or is a swastica more appropriate?
alliswellinjapan
I sense that the "ever so clear (thus controversial)" words calculatedly selected and used by Hashimoto is somewhat ironically creating even more to be "lost in translation", where everything will tend to be taken at face value by the posters here thereby creating immense resistance. There is clearly a striking difference between the general reactions seen among the general public in Japan and here.
nath
Is this 21st century?or are we in the dark ages?
just-a-bigguy
I won’t investigate what you did before you became a public servant
Now we see how japan has lost her souls and how desperated the next generation is going to be!
cornbread1
As I thought, this is taken out of context. The essence of his message was that high profile public servants do not have private lives--similar to US Prez. Obama who's life is scrutinized every which way....and similar to this article casting negative connotations on Hashimoto.
Just have a native Japanese who understand current affairs read the J-article provided by Thomas Anderson above.
tmarie
You're comparing ward "mayors" to Obama? Please!
JTDanMan
"I won’t investigate what you did before you became a public servant;"
But he will investigate you now...
globalwatcher
Oh dear, are you comparing Hashimoto to Obama? Hashimoto cannot even come close to Obama. Pleeeze!!!
mrmalice
sounds like a real fun guy ... remind me if, no , when i get to japan to stay clear of osaka ... i got all the rightwing i can handle right here in the shire already
Yubaru
You see it that way, I see it that way, but there are many conservative Japanese that think he is right for putting these people on the spot and making them maintain a higher standard.
The people who voted for him. He only became the mayor of the city because he couldnt get what he wanted when he was the Gov. of the Fu. His underling does that now.
Rest assured the people he was talking to dont feel that way. This is Japan.
He's started by working at cleaning up government and making the city employees more responsible to the people who pay their salaries. Rome wasnt built in a day.
Yubaru
There are plenty of people in Japan that want, or at least think that the time has come for Article 9 to be amended.
That's nothing new.
J Turner
zichi,
The LDP is in favor. I thought you knew...
YuriOtani
He is a throwback to the bad old days. It is just that other countries allow paranoia to fester and spread. Destroying article #9 is just the first step, after that there will be a new Imperial Army, Air Force and Navy. This needs to be stopped!
SonnyInAz
I just spoke with a friend of mine in Japan. For me, to read this article, I would agree with most all of you.. they guy just sounds evil. However after speaking with my friend, he tells me that most Japanese understand his methods better and are not so shocked at his statements. He explained to me, that if he were to give the typical hype kind of, do your best speech, that it brings no media attention. That he says things in this way to get the media there. Obviously a media hound. But that he's not actually saying that their losing their individual lives, but rather warning them that they will be scrutinized by the people for their every action. To get them to do the best job they can, but with the understand that the people will be watching. An overkill motivational speech if you will. Are there other Japanese in Osaka that feel this way?
DP812
Yet. Hitler didn't run for office on a platform of "let's wipe out the Jews." Hitler didn't even run on a platform of totalitarian rule, he testified that he would pursue political power solely through democratic elections. But whenever a politician makes statements like the ones Hashimoto is making, one should be very, very, very wary.
It all starts with one group of people being denied rights then slowly extends to more.