Suga, opposition to face off in Diet over science panel controversy

Why do we let this decisions to the discretion of officials?!

Make the rules to handle it, make a democratic ruling so this doesn't happen again.

The inequality of the system is outstanding.

Quote ''Of the 105 scholars recommended as new members by the council, Suga did not name six''

Did you read that part from 105 scholars only 6 was not named?

It's not 0. It's not 10. You have 99 Scholars still left to challenge the government, complain, make sure Japan doesn't move an inch from Article 9. Make sure we are as weak as possible. Don't worry nothing is changing.

Diet always making a big deal out of nothing. Except for signing terrible deals for Japan. No scholar to tell the government what a disaster the Plaza Accord has been.

Christ man, I wonder if some people here engage their brains before commenting.

Sure rejecting 6 of the names doesn't sound bad. But, there is no precedent for this. The body is meant to be independent and the government approval has always been a formality.

Those 6 have been openly critical of the government. Crushing dissension is not something a world leading democracy should do. That is what we expect from a dictatorship.

This is in no way a step forward for Japan.

Sadly nothing will come of it, the mockery of democracy, accountability will continue. Japan is decades away from pubity let alone adulthood (where politicians are concerned) no matter how old those in charge physically are, mentally they are 3 year olds holding on to their toys.

Didn’t know we had an opposition...

Originally, this is issue of Suga government's illegal behavior.

But, in Japan, it is treated as if "problem about Science Council of Japan" by pro-Suga commentators' falsehood or major TV channels. 

Japanese scholar are criticized like evil organization despite no illegality at all.

Academic freedom is about to be losen more and more from Japan.

This situation that scholars are disrespected is looks like early stage of dictatorship.

Didn’t know we had an opposition...

The opposition must be the most depressing job ever: not a chance to win an election, media shuts them out, officials do not answer any question, ...

It's not 0. It's not 10. You have 99 Scholars still left to challenge the government, complain, make sure Japan doesn't move an inch from Article 9. Make sure we are as weak as possible. Don't worry nothing is changing.

If a very important decision is left to be done without any justification what do you think would happen if any of the other scientist attack something the government does, even if validly? would the rejected scientists be called back? or will the new dissidents rejected as well until the council is just a meaningless congregation of yes men?

From the viewpoint of academic freedom, it is indeed not a great precedent to set.

Having said that, the wording of the law does not refute the possibility of the Appointer taking a different view. Indeed, one may question what's the point of an appointer if he has no choice but to approve whatever is nominated.

Further, the view given during the Nakasone era not only is over 30 years old, but in itself phrased correctly such that it does not contradict this view. All that view said is that the government (at the time) does not foresee the possibility of a government veto, NOT that they can't veto or that a veto will never be appropriate.

Thus, prima facie Suga did not exceed his authority. The only question left is whether he abused the authority the law gave him. If he believes in good faith that these scholars are unfit for their post, there is no abuse.

Japanese scholar are criticized like evil organization despite no illegality at all.

Nobody has accused them of breaking a law. However, the combination of their attitudes has created a sense that they are biased towards foreign powers rather than the Japan. Nevertheless, they will not suffer any consequences worse than the Prime Minister choosing to use his powers to not award a few posts.

they just want another typical yes-men only panel to rubber stamp LDP policies to justify their endless meetings.