Tanigaki blames territorial disputes on weak DPJ leadership

Hasn't the Government said: Sigh! Look, let's just go to the International Court and settle all this! That's strong leadership in my book.

The recent incidents involving Japan, China, Russia, and Korea appears to demonstrate that Japan's Government is being viewed as weak by these three countries, all of whom have long standing historical disputes with Japan. While disagreements such as those which have arisen recently have a long history, dating back decades, the increase in conflicts between Japan and these three countries appears to have increased with the passage of time, and more so, with the passage of successive leaders of Japan. Perhaps, Japan's leaders would be well advised to take a more aggressive stand against those foreign nations which are seeking to take advantage of the frequent leadership changes in Japanese politics. Additionally, those in leadership positions within Japan's political parties, such as those in leadership of the DPJ, and LDP, should work more diligently to create working coalitions of a bipartisan nature when issues of national defense are concerned. While such coalitions are very difficult to form and even more difficult to maintain, a government which continues to experience frequent leadership changes and internal distress, will mostly likely encourage harassment by these three countries, all of whom were former adversaries of Japan. Thank you very much.

Mark Kazuo Bradley

Again Tanigaki shows he has a short memory. Who was in charge of the government when South Korea first put a structure on Takeshima in, I think it was, 1954? Why Tanigaki's Liberal Democratic Party, of course. And his LDP did nothing about Takeshima since then. And who was in charge when the Senkaku Islands issue started rising in the late 1960s and early 1970s? Why Tanigaki's LDP, of course. And what did the LDP do over the years following that? Nothing.

Turn to today ... and the government-running Minshuto Party suddenly has its hands full of problems concerning these islands ... all thanks to the LDP's mishandling of the island issues over the years. At least Minshuto is trying to do something without letting the issues blow up to something much bigger.

And what would Tanigaki's LDP people do if they returned to power, as is expected in the next general election? They will again bury their head in the sand and try to ignore these important problems. Try to figure out a way out of the mess without bothering the LDP's newly elected government.

If the LDP does regain power, they should look to someone better than Tanigaki to run their operations.

Well the LDP didn't achieve anything whatsoever towards the return of the northern territories whilst they were in power. Perhaps the fool Tanigaki can explain his plan to recover those islands because I'd love to hear it? I wonder if it consists of anything more than "calling for the return of the islands"?

@Scrote

Well said! The man really is a slimy, conniving little tool.

This man is so full of . . . air. He clearly has a poor memory, had a poor education, has no idea what he is talking about.

Tanigaki is weak and so are the rest of the opposition really. It's very easy to winge and moan.

“This is because Japan has lost its influence and is underestimated by other countries in the region.

tanigaki you are a doufus! The first part of your quote above is correct but I dont think China or Korea are underestimating Japan they just now see it as weak & are opening taking pot shots

Tanigaki is weak and so are the rest of the opposition really.

Although he has managed to hang on as LDP leader since 2009 while the DPJ have changed leaders twice in the same period. Pretty sure he'd last less than a year as PM, mind you, once the LDP presidency equates to actual power again and all the old boys want a shot at it before it's time to pack them off to the geriatric ward.

I can't stand Tanigaki.

Although he has managed to hang on as LDP leader since 2009 while the DPJ have changed leaders twice in the same period

It doesn't really matter who is at the helm at this point. The only person I can think of that would make enough people consider voting for the LDP again is Koizumi junior.

Pretty sure he'd last less than a year as PM, mind you, once the LDP presidency equates to actual power again

I don't think he'll get the chance. No one is voting the LDP back in for some time yet.

@edojin

Interesting to learn past record of Mr. Tanigaki. Nothing personal against / for him however, the LDP has undeniably demonstrated a higher hand in handling foreign affairs especially on sensitive issues with these neighbors. Whereas the DPJ sounded excessively inexperienced in this field. Mr. Gemba's detailed revenge plan targeting at S. Korea can best be described as 'emotional' without any well-thought strategy & manoevrable room left -- of course, Mr. Noda is the one behind the scenes who should be responsible for these actions. In sum, the snowball keeps cumulating for a lose- lose scenario for all especially the DPJ & above all Japan as a result..

Scote: Japan was on the point of signing a treaty with the USSR in 1956 which would return the Nemuro islands in exchange for the USSR keeping the whole Kuril chain, but the USA intervened.

How many party members in the LDP as of day?

Prime Minister Noda has not shown strong leadership toward any of these countries.

Then, what Tanigaki wants to do? Dropping Nuke?

I blame your party for not having been sincere. Guess why Chinese and Koreans are so emotional about these islands.

Japan's being viewed as 'weak' because it got a little big for its britches when the other nations know Japan can't follow through. Tanigaki would be doing nothing different in this regard, save perhaps hiding a little further behind the Americans.