PT24881 comments

The 'normalcy' of Japan should originally be achieved through other means & ways -- these were what Japan has been good at after decades of correct efforts, generation on generation. Judging the current trajectory, the dire scenario is derived from three factors ( ignorance of the J-public about past history, J-politicians & J-media ). In a matter of 1-2 years, the "positive assets" ( for a normal nation ) cumulated since 60 years are being placed by a few on the gambling table by a few. The nation's 'normalcy' is just a few prayers away.. at Yasukuni ? May God bless Japan...

"I am of a view that we can make a similar argument about Yasukuni, which enshrines the souls of those who lost their lives in the service of their country,” Abe told the policy magazine Foreign Affairs."

The difference lies in : the Americans & its allies won the WWII hence their fallen soldiers are heroes. By the same token, they since then have been keeping Japan as "subordinate" at their service. Now, the PM S. Abe wants to break these rules of the game imposed ( mainly) by the Americans ? The best option as per SUN ZI's strategies would ironically be strengthening ties with Americans rivals ( Russians, Chinese etc ) as a leverage. The last the Americans ( probably more than the Koreans / Chinese / Russians etc ) would like to see is : Japan becomes 'too' normal a nation ! ( think it twice, ah you've got it )

One has to raise the question why Jpn was not 'normal country' in the first place ?

Positive point is : there are still critics from these countries to ensure the PM's acts & comments staying in check. Should Japan keeps going too far, until then, no one would care by then. Hence, PM Abe should think twice before further aggravating the situation.

No sweet deals here ?

"Abe told a parliament committee that South Korea and China were important partners for Japan and he did not want the shrine controversy to become a diplomatic or political issue."

The PM knew perfectly what these countries' reactions would be...contradictory remarks on and on started to make a dent in the credibility of J politics in the international political history. Funny man.

RIP ! The officer should join Sumo wrestling instead of keeping laws & orders

The key is the so-called Japanese airspace defined by the air force unilaterally & 'flew near'. Surprising indeed the piece of news was cooked up as if these Su-27 Su-30 were above Japan sky ?

Observing from the latest developments & the tactics employed by the PM Abe,' hope' seems not taken for granted -- only 'hope' is he could stay longer than his predecessors in office by stirring nationalistic sentiments albeit by paying an expensive price of self-isolation in Asia. 'Pride' ? I do not think this is something missing in Japan in the past 140 years since the Meiji era ? Unless he referred to extreme form of 'pride' advocated by the warlords before the WWII ? All in all, the PM Abe's tactics since half a year appeared to be rather successful to keep high scores on opinion polls... But after the provocative tactics, concrete bread & butter issues will have to dealt with before people getting tired of the empty words ?

Apart from business, nothing much to be put on the agenda. News reports referred to two Russian bombers flew near Japan airspace slightly before the PM's takeoff for Moscow as a welcome signal !

@yuriotani "Let them sit on their gas or let South Korea buy it. At least until the North cuts the pipeline."

This is by no mean a bad energy option, or else Japan will have to keep puzzling about reopen nuke power stations ? As quakes are getting more frequent & increasingly powerful, voices of concerns from the public will press the govt to think otherwise.

@yosun

"The way Abe has been trying very hard, but failed.." agreed with you on the comment put forward.

Everyone has its own set of pressing issues ( economic downturns, employment, general lack of interest & confidence in politicians etc ) at home these days without ready solutions. To put it bluntly, no one would expect these territorial issues ( no short term solution unless extremely risky options are taken ) to be resolved but the magic is : to portay the image of a certain 'victim' being bullied that mobilizes nationalistic support, everyone is now free to do things ( & budget allocations ) they could not even imagine a few years ago -- Japan's rearmament, for China to kick out Japanese companies & interests etc.. Ironically, from a more subtle angle, the last thing these leaders would like to see is : territorial issue peacefully resolved too soon as everyone will be under internal pressure with focus, this time, on tough domestic issues that would imply almost immediately losing support at home & stepping down in a few quarters.

The PM Shinzo Abe should have sought support for all disputed waters ( Russia, Korea as well ) without singling out China ? He may be interested in Mongolia's rich mineral resources albeit the main issue is : how to ship the extracted minerals when Japan's current govt remains at odd with both Russia & China ? Hence, the trip will end up with a big dose of political posture to show to Japanese public -- 'you see, I kept trying..the door is open ( for talks ) since I took office, these stubborn Russians, Koreans & Chinese didnot even show up to entertain me ! '

Interestingly, Why one has to devote the trillion to a specific sector and within a short space of time ? Beware that half of money be handed out by the govt through borrowings from YOU innocent citizens -- have you been granted a say in this project ?

The late British PM Mrs. M. Thatcher was a world class leader who has brought forward far- sighted strategies & policies & a genuine strong will.. It is out of question for this man to inspire her charisma !

S. Abe, history will tell how he, an ex-PM, gave in & stepped down just because of stomachache !?

@PATRICK SMASH The majority of comments related to 'heated sujects' we came cross remained unfortunately somewhat 'overdone' in defending opinion of their respective 'camps'. Regardless of one's stance on the subject, genuinely appreciated your comments above supported pertinently by factual 'survey' story. Meanwhile, well thought structure in presenting the ideas that ended up with high 'readability'. Thanks !

N.Korea's nuke test was high on the US agenda, Shinzo Abe's softened stance vis-a-vis S. Korea was strictly in line with endorsement by Uncle Sam...who will never tolerate two allies fighting with each other within the US led camp !

An irony of protectionism in a country that scores high on scale in all sorts of protectionism -- hidden hurdles !

The content of his speech about China was more or less expected. How about TPP & Takeshima/ Dokdo ?

The PM Shinzo Abe's carefully planned 'smart' propaganda warfare of publicizing China bashing statements via a key US media to enhance the effect of his first trip in office to the US has apparently turned sour. His think tank who put forward this clumsy game plan should be blamed -- the remarks ( wishing it was misquoted ) sounded squarely too unskillful & 'non-Japanese ( general image as educated & civilized nation ) to be coming from the prime minister of Japan. His widely respected ancestors would very likely be severely upset by their grand son !

"semperfiDEC. 22, 2012 - 08:05AM JST Excellent -- -proactive - - gracious - - and sends the clear message that Japan wants friendly relations with Korea."

Let's cross the fingers to observe how good Shinzo Abe can play with 'charm' imposing games with olive branches..

" mikihouseDEC. 20, 2012 - 07:46AM JST thanks China and South Korea in pushing the Japanese public into more aggressive stance. Most people who were interviewed had expressed that Japan should build up their military and remove the article 9 clause. It was such unthinkable even just a few years back."

The end of a short promise & peaceful constitution to make Japan a guardian of the world peace with no aggression, 75 years after the last big one, towards others never ever again ended up with "land of peace" torn apart by the boomerang tactics well planned & triggered by a few tricks by the Rwingers.. You could not expect the Koreans & Chinese doing nothing...once they did..revival of militarism..easy isn't it ?

Chinese authorities control not only imports but also the customs & distribution channels...etc, next step : outcries from 'customers' calling for boycotts against J-imports of stainless steel..

Toyota has become too arrogant.. Too easy to be the biggest & top manufacturer that used to keep other contenders at a comfortable distance behind, the other side of the coin is : once taken on the world, no target to chase after & 'doing little' mentality prevails ?

"But he also struck a slightly more conciliatory note, saying he wanted to “deepen dialogue” with China. “We need to have wisdom not to turn political issues into economic issues,” he said."

Shinzo Abe wants both money made from China & the sovereignty of the disputed isles, doesn't he ? How ? The smart China exerts some pressure on the economic front -- intensified disputes would imply more pressure.. Before ling the 'Abenomics' would head for further losses..it may end up with resignation due to stomachache again ?

'New starts' sound good to hear.. The neighbors of Japan seem getting tired of listening to such 'sweet' words after rounds of nasty crisis on bilateral relations.

Shinzo Abe's past records are known to everyone, fair enough, he should be given a second chance to demonstrate his skillful he would be in turning around the deeply damaged ties with South Korea & China.

The tone & substances of the 'report' biased overtly towards the presumed Chinese 'conspiracy', a few similar M&A cases involving J-companies right before the territorial disputes followed the same lengthy procedure, hence it does not necessarily imply some forms of 'revenge' ? Perhaps, giving up the Chinese market once for all could be an option ?

@yuriotani The majority of Ordinary citizens, in any country, are innocent, aren't they ? What they do care are bread-&-butter issues close to themselves. Communism or other ideologies are irrelevant to the subject matters ?

"China's goal is to expand its claim to the Senkakus by effective occupation (such as sending these ships). Since they were starting from 0, anything they do increases their "market share". To counter this, Japan will have to take decisive action (for example, nationalizing, or putting real facilities on the island...etc) But "stays calm" generally equates to not taking such action. So China wins."

J-govt's Decisive actions, until now, appeared to be dragging the Americans into the troubled waters & securing verbal or procedural commitments of the big brother's protection. Have to 'thank' Ishihrara & his gangs who started the purchase game that offered precious opportunity for the Chinese to 'upgrade' their claims & actions. Ask the Americans -- would you scarify their boys just for a few wild rocks for the friendship with Japan especially when the US-Chinese relation is embedded with multiple core interests for both -- probably exceeding that with the US-Japan one ?

" 2 Good Bad YuriOtaniNOV. 30, 2012 - 08:32AM JST Time to shut down the plants for good. A victory for the Chinese worker, unemployment."

The Germans, Americans & other non-Japanese foreign brands set up joint ventures respectively with a handful of Chinese companies ( powerful state-owned conglomerates ) that will adjust the productions -- less J-brands will be, it takes a bit of time, compensated for by other partners that boost aggressively production ( please read article on GM's expansion in China ) . The fact is everyone wants to see the boycotts going on longer especially the Americans !