| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| How will Abe be as a Prime minister, please comment |
| He will be good |
|
10% |
[ 2 ] |
| He will be bad |
|
73% |
[ 14 ] |
| He will be good and bad |
|
15% |
[ 3 ] |
|
| Total Votes : 19 |
|
| Author |
Message |
Like a Rolling Stone
Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 872
|
 Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:54 am Post subject: Will Mr Abe be a good Prime Minster? |
 |
|
Well, Koizumi is gone and I will always have happy memories of his Elvis impersonatins and Lion-king hair  But now there is a new Prime Minister that some people say is "a hawk".  What does it mean? Is he going to bring back the military? Is he going to send soldiers to war?
 Hmmm... I don't know much about him so please tell me some thing about this guy if you know..... 
Here's a taste of his new policy:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5390960.stm |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Like a Rolling Stone
Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 872
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
| BBC wrote: |
Mr Abe, Japan's first prime minister born after World War II, said a constitution that was "more suitable to a new generation" was needed.
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
luckyloser700
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 308
Location: Japan
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 2:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Like a Rolling Stone wrote: |
| BBC wrote: |
Mr Abe, Japan's first prime minister born after World War II, said a constitution that was "more suitable to a new generation" was needed.
|
|
Yeah, this from a guy who wants to water down the public school history books even more when it comes to WWII atrocities. It's bad enough that so many young kids (I didn't say most) grow up with biases against foreigners but the truths of events like the Nanking Massacre are hardly known by your average high schooler. I can just see Mr. Abe changing the constitution to allow for a strengthening of military forces at about the same time he decides to visit Yasukuni Shrine. That'll really warm up the relations between Japan, South Korea, and China. 
One can only hope that he'll be sincere in his efforts to mend ties with the other Asian countries. What he'll do for the economy is anyone's guess. He alarms a lot of liberals.
Anyway, we'll see, right? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
guest of Japan
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 1601
Location: Japan
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 2:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| He's going to make a lot of people appreciate Koizumi. Oh well, his main challenger for the position scared me even more. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NorthofAmerica
Joined: 17 Jul 2006
Posts: 187
Location: Recovering Expat
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 4:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
Abe is a scary dude. He could potentially invigorate the Japanese economy but only on the backs of all the people who will be harmed by his proposed spending cuts. His economic plans seem geared towards spurring overall growth even if it creates and exacerbates diparities between people and regions in Japan. Not cool in my books. It's hard to imagine someone whitewashing Japan's actions in WWII even more than they already do but that is exactly what he wants to do. He is really big on "patriotism" whatever that means. And yeah, most scary is that he wants to change the the part of the constitution (article 9) that forbids Japan from using its military to "resolve international disputes."
I've always felt that maybe the Japanese constitution ought to be updated but not by somebody like Shinzo Abe. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
luckbox
Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 180
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 4:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
As the Who song goes... "same as the old boss." Although slightly more right of Koizumi, despite his Yasukuni concession.
And on the purely superficial image issue, as someone said, Abe has about as much PR dynamism as a farm post. He sort of reminds me of Nixon... a clever guy with serious image problems, a guy who looks constantly constipated. At least Koizumi could sing, dance and had a nice wave in his hair. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gaijinalways
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 2279
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
Be interesting to see, but certainly what Abe has said before taking office doesn't bode well for foreign relations and relations with the foreign community in Japan  .
I suppose Abe will be better than Ishihara as Governor of Tokyo has been, which is saying he might do things, but in the process he'll make some right (wing) waves  ! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ghostrider
Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 147
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I just hope Abe doesn't end up being Japan's Bush. Is being so closely aligned with the US worth it right now? Do Japanese people want to be hated by most of the world (again)? Hopefully, his reforms won't make it through. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
furiousmilksheikali
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 1660
Location: In a coffee shop, splitting a 30,000 yen tab with Sekiguchi.
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
A few people are excited about the prospect of a "young" Prime Minister to make Japanese politics more exciting.
Well, here a few proposals that Abe is implementing to make things a little less dull:
1. Making August 15th "Yasukuni Day". Abe: "I don't know what all the fuss is about"
2. Declaring War on the United Nations Security Council. Abe: "If you can't join them, beat them!"
3. Conscription of kindergartners into the military. Abe: "Well if they're gonna dress up like soldiers they should bloody well act like them too."
4. Compulsory Euthanasia at 65. This is his most important reform as it will relieve the burden on pensions and welfare for the elderly. Also with compulsory retirement at 60, Abe hopes the old folks will use the five years they have left to fritter away their savings and hopefully end the problem of deflation. Abe: "They can also travel abroad and put all those NOVA lessons to use." Of course another benefit of this is it will result in a purge of the LDP and end that creaky old gerontocracy. Yes, Abe hopes to be "a breath of fresh air". |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
luckyloser700
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 308
Location: Japan
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 4:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| ghostrider wrote: |
| I just hope Abe doesn't end up being Japan's Bush. Is being so closely aligned with the US worth it right now? Do Japanese people want to be hated by most of the world (again)? Hopefully, his reforms won't make it through. |
ghost,
The sad thing is that Japan is already very closely aligned with the US right now. This has been the case for awhile. But, yes. It's scary to think Mr. Abe wants an even closer alliance. Not necessarily because a closer alliance is bad, but for what purpose? He's pretty cryptic about this (as he is about most things). People around the world these days don't have the same misgivings about Japan as they did 60 or 70 years ago, but many of today's governments see Japan's funding of the first Gulf War and the War on Terror as payment for protection of its interests in oil resources and don't feel too warmly about Japan because of it. Asia is a large continent and not too many countries in Asia feel all that great about Japan.
Japan is already in a bad situation; the new PM might make it unbearable.
Or... he might be replaced next summer. Who knows?
What bothers me the most is the lack of interest (or lack of willingness ) on the part of J citizens to make more noise about the things their government does in the interest of the country.
If the country ever does go into the toilet, there'll be a collective "shouganai" uttered by every Japanese person in the country and will be heard as far away as... the nearest conbini.
Last edited by luckyloser700 on Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
shuize
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 1270
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| The sad thing is that Japan is already very closely aligned with the US right now. This has been the case for awhile. But, yes. It's scary to think Mr. Abe wants an even closer alliance. Not necessarily because a closer alliance is bad, but for what purpose? |
Why is it a "sad" thing that Japan is closely aligned with the U.S.? Would you be happier if U.S. / Japanese relations were worse? How is that in either country's best interests?
| Quote: |
| He's pretty cryptic about this (as he is about most things). People around the world these days don't have the same misgivings about Japan as they did 60 or 70 years ago, but many governments see Japan's funding of the first Gulf War ... |
I'm curious, which governments opposed Japan's funding of the first Gulf War? Certainly not any of the those that sent troops (i.e. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Egypt, U.A.E., Oman, Syria, Pakistan, Bahrain, Morocco, Niger, Honduras, Netherlands, Canada, Bangladesh, France, United Kingdom, and the United States).
| Quote: |
| ... and the War on Terror as a horrible thing and don't feel too warmly about Japan because of it. |
Japan is funding the War on Terror? Since when? That's great news. I'm sure U.S. taxpayers will be glad to hear it.
| Quote: |
| Japan is already in a bad situation ... |
Really? In what way?
| Quote: |
| What bothers me the most is the lack of interest (or lack of willingness ) on the part of J citizens to make more noise about the things their government does in the interest of the country. |
Maybe because most Japanese realize things aren't quite as bad as you seem to think. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
shuize
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 1270
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Like a Rolling Stone wrote: |
| BBC wrote: |
Mr Abe, Japan's first prime minister born after World War II, said a constitution that was "more suitable to a new generation" was needed.
|
|
I'm not sure what's so shocking about that statement. Doesn't every generation have the right to frame the rules under which they are governed? As long as they follow the procedure outlined within the current constitution for its amendment, I don't really see a problem. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Like a Rolling Stone
Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 872
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hmmm .... Seems that 76 percent say he waill be bad.... That's a big figure. I think Mr Abe would be shocked if he knew he had less than 20 percent approval rating! Luckyloser makes a good point... What if he is Japan's Bush  ?
Shuize: It's shocking because when somone tries to rewrite constitutions it is usually bad. He also means...let's make war more easy to to have. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
shuize
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 1270
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Like a Rolling Stone wrote: |
| Shuize: It's shocking because when somone tries to rewrite constitutions it is usually bad. He also means...let's make war more easy to to have. |
Now you're just being silly. No one can just "rewrite the constitution." There is a constitutional process by which it may be amended. As it was in the United States to guarantee freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly (First Amendment); freedom from unreasonable search and seizure (Fourth Amendment); the guarantee of due process (Fifth Amendment); the right to trial by jury (Sixth Amendment); freedom from cruel and unusual punishment (Eighth Amendment); the abolition of slavery (Thirteenth Amendment); due process and equal protection in state action (Fourteenth Amendment); voting rights for black men (Fifteenth Amendment); direct election of senators (Seventeenth Amendment); women's right to vote (Nineteenth Amendment); and the abolition of poll tax (Twenty Fourth Amendment).
Oh, wait. "Rewriting" constitutions is usually bad.
Got it.
Last edited by shuize on Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:53 pm; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Like a Rolling Stone
Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 872
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| shuize wrote: |
| Like a Rolling Stone wrote: |
| Shuize: It's shocking because when somone tries to rewrite constitutions it is usually bad. He also means...let's make war more easy to to have. |
Now you're just being silly. No one can just "rewrite the constitution." There is a constitutional process by which it may be amended. As it was in the United States to allow for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly (First Amendment); freedom from unreasonable search and seizure (Fourth Amendment); the guarantee of due process (Fifth Amendment); the right to trial by jury (Sixth Amendment); freedom from cruel and unusual punishment (Eighth Amendment); the abolition of slavery (Thirteenth Amendment); due process and equal protection in state action (Fourteenth Amendment); voting rights for black men (Fifteenth Amendment); direct election of senators (Seventeenth Amendment); women's right to vote (Nineteenth Amendment); and the abolition of poll tax (Twenty Fourth Amendment).
Oh, wait. "Rewriting" constitutions is usually bad.
Got it. |
Well, he is not trying to do those things he is trying to change it for Japan to use the military. In America they are now trying to change some of those things back and make some of those freedoms go away. Look at Guantanamo Bay, for example and burning of the American Flag and religious freedoms. in Japan I think they can change the constitution more easily because the same party runs all of government.
Also I did say "usually" not always. Look at Thailand now, they want to change the constitution there with the army in charge. Could this happen in Japan too????
| Quote: |
BBC wrote:
Mr Abe, Japan's first prime minister born after World War II, said a constitution that was "more suitable to a new generation" was needed.
|
If they get a new one they must rewrite it so it is not silly. They are going to try something that may be dangerous. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
