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Support for Abe bounces back after war statement

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If it had come from Abe's heart I would have felt better about it. But this statement was carefully prepared over several weeks by a special committee.

I liked what Emperor Hirohito said much better.

13 ( +24 / -11 )

Japan's Roly Poly. Kick him over and he flips right back up again.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

@BertieWoosterAUG. 17, 2015 - 07:20AM JST If it had come from Abe's heart I would have felt better about it. But this statement was carefully prepared over several weeks by a special committee.

I liked what Emperor Hirohito said much better.

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Which one? his end of war speech or which one of his botany research speech?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Some people are easily pleased or duped. I'm not surprised ore-ore scams are doing bigger and bigger business here every year.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Toshiko-san, I think Bertie means Emperor "Akihito"

"Emperor Akihito Expresses ‘Deep Remorse’ for..."

and I agree with him. It came from the heart, not a "made up" speech.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Agree I also prefer the Emperors speech.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

His Imperial Majesty for PM!

5 ( +7 / -3 )

@Fighting: Thank you. I will be careful from now on. You stopped me becoming senile.

I liked his speech,too. His speech include we older Japanese's feeling.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I don't understand. Approval ratings drop because of the security bill and goes up cause of his speech. The security bill is still in place and the speech angered neighboring countries.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

@since'81. If abe cooperates with Suga, his ratings will go up. If the ¥ gets strong, ratings will go up. If the JMSDF becomes more active, ratings go down. Visit Yasukuni, ratings go up.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

since1981 AUG. 17, 2015 - 10:27AM JST I don't understand. Approval ratings drop because of the security bill and goes up cause of his speech. The security bill is still in place and the speech angered neighboring countries.

Part of Abe's support is an ultra-nationalistic group that interprets any honest discussion of Imperial Japanese warmongering as "Japan-bashing", which is why he has called apologizing to Japan's neighbors a "masochistic view of history." Likely these people were very energized by his "our descendents shouldn't have to apologize forever" like, a.k.a. "the matter is settled because we unilaterally decided it is settled."

China was the main country to criticize Abe's speech, and while I agree with their criticism they badly flubbed the presentation. There is nothing concrete or objective in their complaint, just an attack on Abe's character by calling it insincere. A typical citizen of Japan who like typical citizens in most countries is uninformed about international political disputes, could easily superficially read the events of the last two days as "well, we tried to apologize to China and they still wouldn't take it. Obviously they'll never be satisfied."

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Good for PM Abe. The Japanese people are realistic and hopefully a growing number and beginning to see the "light" at the end of the tunnel for their Nation's security and continued prosperity.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

People now know US spies Japan and realise security talks are not to protect US. So they expect Abe to reveal real plans. We call this kind of attitude BAKE NO KAWA O HAGASU.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Weasel words. Are people fooled so easily?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Oh my god. Everyone needs to get a grip love on the now and let the past go. Abe didn't start the war he wasn't even alive why is he being held responsible?

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

rlancy AUG. 17, 2015 - 12:28PM JST Oh my god. Everyone needs to get a grip love on the now and let the past go. Abe didn't start the war he wasn't even alive why is he being held responsible?

No one is holding him responsible. Hardly a single Japanese person still living is responsible for the war. No one has said otherwise.

The current generations of active Japanese people aren't responsible for the war, but they have a duty to respond to the war. And that's where they're falling down. In Abe's case, his response to the war is to put on an earnest face and tell the nations of the world that he wants Japan to remember its history. And then the next day he made a cash donation to Yasukuni shrine, which runs a museum saying Japan invaded Korea and China because Korean and Chinese people were unfit to govern themselves and everyone liked it except for a few bandits and terrorists, who were the only people Japanese soldiers ever killed the entire time they occupied those territories. Yasukuni also says that Japan was forced into attacking Pearl Harbor because the US would not trade resources with Japan.

So that's what Abe's responsible for. And I think if we're all being honest with ourselves, we can all agree he's not lived up to his promises on this front.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Oh my god. Everyone needs to get a grip love on the now and let the past go. Abe didn't start the war he wasn't even alive why is he being held responsible?

He isn't. Japan is, and he is the elected representative of Japan.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Thise who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Germany = lesson learned. Japan = no

3 ( +9 / -6 )

@KATSU: please read some books to know Japan did not invade Korea. Jspsn cheated Korea. Japan stole Kprea and cover up that, Princess Masako Nashimoto no Miya was presented to Korean Crown Prince and claim Ni Kkan Shinzen. but we used to say Japan stole Korea. Never invaded to annex Korea. We stopped like that. PM Ito said it is not colony because Japanese people were not forced to live in Korea and he was later assassinated Japanese books stated. China Japan had slogan TaiRiku Shinryaku. Japan never hid intension. My point is that Japan cheared other countries. Later, Japan presented one young Japanese cabsret girl to Indonesian President Skuruno and she became first lady until he was ousted. That was end of Gov using female presemtatiom to get Japan's wish.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Don't bite the hands that feeds it....

I would love to see real stats from someone else besides Kyodo news

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Aso was, at very least, honest. Their priority lies in passing the bill, which will increase their power while the war statement is just words plenty of sings of signaling to their supporting layer as FT pointed out.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan doesn't seem to be fan of proverb, actions speak louder than words.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The botany speech was definitely better.

Personally I liked Abe's speech, but the idiot still needs to get a grip on the regressive consumption tax and stop taxation on necessary food items, medications, doctor visits, school uniforms etc. It is not that hard to figure out.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Toshiko-san,

This was what I was referring to:

“Looking back at the past, together with deep remorse over the war, I pray that this tragedy of war will not be repeated and together with the people, express my deep condolences for those who fell in battle and in the ravages of war, and pray for world peace and the further prosperity of our country.” (Hirohito)

It has sincerity.

An attribute that is absent in Abe's "speech written by a committee."

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Many people in japan applauded Abe's NO APOLOGY statement. That is how his popularity has risen.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

In the survey by Kyodo news agency published on Saturday, support for Abe’s government rose to 43.2% from 37.7%

Wow, I guess many Japanese really ARE easily confused!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@GWAUG. 17, 2015 - 08:44PM JST In the survey by Kyodo news agency published on Saturday, support for Abe’s government rose to 43.2% from 37.7%

Wow, I guess many Japanese really ARE easily confused!

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Japanese people insulter. Only 5.5 % up and we all are defined easily confused.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

These surveys from a political point of view are similar to dipping a toe into ocean to test its temperature, 'politics' is complex and dependent on appreciating fully the competence and quality of the opposition parties, It is not cut and dried.

For Abe san and his LDP government more pressing challenges await that his present cabinet are ill equipped to deal with. Sorry if this sounds rude but The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is the very definition of toe curling incompetence, he is so right of center it is a miracle he locates his office.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I think Abe means 'A sincerely apology ' from hapan is something on table waiting offer or tender from China or South Korea. That depends of what is to be offered by and tradeoff. For example if China no longer obstruction of Japan's bid to be permanent member of the security council in the United Nations. Lets see what it might be on the future 80th anniversary of WW2. So the struggles between China,SK and Japan shall never ends after the 70th anniversary.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@VincehwrAUG. 17, 2015 - 05:42PM JST Japan doesn't seem to be fan of proverb, actions speak louder than words.

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Write your proverb in Japanese to educate us. Just write with alphabets using kanas

0 ( +0 / -0 )

the conservative leader said future generations should not have to keep apologising for the mistakes of the past.

As long as their leaders don't keep denying them.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Bertie san: Emperors have been used as some kind of symbols to use to legitimize whatever heads of samurai groups wanted to control in Japan. Tokugawa did for generations after Ieyasu won /sengoku era. Boshin winner used slogan of Kinnou to tripple Shogun, After that Military used. Emperor was so isolated that one botanic scholar wrote Emperor's friends were weeds and plants in Imperial palace ground. How his feeling? He felt he was walking on thin ice floor all day long. When Crown Prince fell in love at tennis court, Govt opposed but He rejected and Kunaicho had to protect him and created new culture in Japan that man and woman do not have to suicide to be together. Probably He was more glad tjam any Japanese by ending war. There were plots to assassinated Him so PM suicided and NHK helped for the speech.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

An attribute that is absent in Abe's "speech written by a committee."

Bertie, while I'm sure Abe's speech was written by a committee, it would be naive to think that the Emperor's was written by him personally. I don't think you are naive.

I was impressed with Abe's speech. It covered many important topics. It reminded us of the western colonization of Asia. (Something I'm sure that was missing from Queen Elizabeth's speech on VJ day.) It described the extent of the horror. (Over 10 million dead.) It described japan's mistakes. ("Japan took the wrong course and advanced along the road to war.") It contained remorse. ("I bow my head deeply before the souls of all those who perished both at home and abroad. I express my feelings of profound grief and my eternal, sincere condolences.") It recognized the suffering in foreign countries and Japan's guilt. ("Upon the innocent people did our country inflict immeasurable damage and suffering") And there was much more.

I know some people question the sincerity of the speech. But how can we measure sincerity? I think that we can assume that Abe approved it, even if he didn't write it. It's on record. What more can we ask for?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

t@albaleoAUG. 18, 2015 - 01:25AM JST An attribute that is absent in Abe's "speech written by a committee." Bertie, while I'm sure Abe's speech was written by a committee, it would be naive to think that the Emperor's was written by him personally. I don't think you are naive.

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the copy of E/s speech was photoed. The text was written by aumi liquid with brushtio of Fude. The sentences were written by Emperor's Japanese lanhuahe. His Japanese differs snkd€and Kunaichi official would not know as the language was not for ua. Crown Prince Stufy Building (ToGu Gogakumonsho educated only future Emperor and no one else could learn thT KIND OF OLD OLD LANGUAGE. That was the reason NK kisteners had hard time to understN what he was saying. Officil would dare make His speech. It was different time. He was considered as living God and no one except military top men could even talked to him. IBut you can figure how different language he used.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"Abe said on Friday he upheld past official apologies for the war, but the conservative leader said future generations should not have to keep apologising for the mistakes of the past."

Abe's right. Japanese should dissociate with their parents and grandparents who were savages. They should piss on their graves and move on.

But for those Japanese who distort the truth, rewriting their history/savagery, are not much different from their parents and grandparents, the savages.

Only if they have the wisdom of Germans...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Only if they have the wisdom of Germans...

Exactly, An example to us all

1 ( +3 / -2 )

According to the Mainichi Shimbun, Xi and Abe will meet on 93 in China. Apparently Abe's speech was good enough for Xi. A nice chance for reconciliation.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@johnY: Only if they have the wisdom of Germans

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You mean Japan should kill all jewish refugees in Manchuria when Hitler asked ro Matsuoka sho told Hitler there is nobsy like what you said and ordered Japanese Embassy in China to send all YudayaJin to Japan. Hitler did not ask YudayaJin He asked something else we don;t have/

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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