No laughing matter

"The protesters called Abe a fascist for his policies promoting nuclear energy, state secrets law and collective self-defense."

I agree with them about the last one "collective self-defense." This does not benefit Japan. There is a danger Japan's Self Defence Force will be used for the benefit of America. Interpretation of collective self-defense should remain ambigious so that Japan will not be involved in America's war.

Wish I could Up Thumb a Picture of the Day..

Once again, to beat a dead horse, yet another shining example of how ordinary everyday Japanese citizens are hardly brainless sheeple afraid to speak out or stand against the grain of society, contrary to the anti Japan crowd.

Unfortunately the Japanese government will never pay heed to any type of demonstrations. Hilarious and puny are what traditional minded politicians here think about the public mindset, Everything works within the inner circle here just as our brothers in Malaysia are beginning to find out the true interests of their rulers.

Unfortunately these people aren't very effective, as all they're doing is yelling and shouting at Abe, but not bothering enough to actually bring a political movement and change. They think that yelling "Quit!" at Abe will actually cause Abe to call it quits and resign. Too naive.

They're just being lead by the equally ineffectual Communist/Social Democratic Party of Japan which are all about doing the opposite of whatever the LDP does, but never doing enough to gain any seats in the parliament.

Hm, fashist for promoting nuclear energy, state secrets law and collective self-defense ?

Nuclear energy , from where you will get energy , tell me ? Today Japan is country that is second largest net importer of fossil fuels in the world , and also, because of that, price of those fuels are sky rocket expensive, so, majority of money Japan earn, goes there , all because of nuclear plants not operating .

2.Secret laws, what is the problem ? Every country has it, including USA , so, while this can be used for bad things, at this moment, its necessary, to strengthen Japan security, if you know that China has eye on Senkaku island ,.

3.Collective self-defense, what , Japan should not defend ? Pls , go live in area around Senkaku isnalds, and then claim you dont want that.

Nenad Jonanovic 3.Collective self-defense, what , Japan should not defend ? Pls , go live in area around Senkaku isnalds, and then claim you dont want that.

America will fight for their own interest not for Japan. U.S. Forces in Japan is not for the defense of Japan. They are here for their own interest. Were U.S. Forces stationed on Okinawa any help to deter recent Chinese aggressive approaches to Senkaku? Wife and families of Obama are in China today playing ping pong with the families of Chinese leader. Japan is a sucker.

@ututrack

Wish I could Up Thumb a Picture of the Day.. exactly what I thought

What worries me about Abe is that he has also talked about changing the constitution to limit individual rights. It is often written in articles about revising Article 9 as almost an after thought. I worry this is going to be slipped in while people are all talking about nuclear, collective self defense, etc. Anyone hear anything about it recently?

Once again, the question remains, were these protesters part of the 50% of the population that voted? And, if there was a spot election next month, would they vote against him?

Pls , go live in area around Senkaku isnalds, and then claim you dont want that.

uh, have you looked at a map of Senkaku? I don't think many Japanese are worried about because of living close to it.

And, if there was a spot election next month, would they vote against him?

The people do not vote for the PM. The parliament does. The people only get to vote for the party. Of course that's bad enough as they keep re-electing the LDP, which I think stands for Lies and Denial Pack.

Once again, the question remains, were these protesters part of the 50% of the population that voted? And, if there was a spot election next month, would they vote against him?

No. They are minority within a minority who tend to make the loudest noise.

Protesters wave signs reading “You may quit right now” as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe leaves a Fuji TV studio after appearing on comedian Tamori’s

The beauty of a Democracy, you have the right to protest the nation's leadership without fear of being arrested and brutalized by the Secret Police.

If folks were to do this in certain neighboring nation, they would do this at their own risk.

Now, as to these fine protestor's, they are in the minority and come next election their side will lose and after the election they will still be in the minority.

If you think that this is an encouraging sign... Then you do not know the abysmal state of the Japanese left who are just content at picking at the leading party but don't know what to do if they were ever to hold onto any position of power.

Interpretation of collective self-defense should remain ambigious so that Japan will not be involved in America's war.

Schopenhaur@if the current territorial dispute should heat up to the point that Japanese Self Defense Force were to exchange fire with Chinese ships or planes adjacent to the Senkaku islands, then which country risks becoming involved in which country's war?

Hope you Abe supporters liked the patriotic 100 billion yen donation.

They think that yelling "Quit!" at Abe will actually cause Abe to call it quits and resign.

No, they think that playing on the title of the TV programme (Waratte ii tomo) and mirroring it in their placards (Yamete ii tomo) is witty and eye-catching, and will help persuade others to think/express similar sentiments. They also think it will be a reminder of the fact that Abe famously did quit once before and is rather flaky.

I hope they're right.

No, they think that playing on the title of the TV programme (Waratte ii tomo) and mirroring it in their placards (Yamete ii tomo) is witty and eye-catching, and will help persuade others to think/express similar sentiments. They also think it will be a reminder of the fact that Abe famously did quit once before and is rather flaky.

Well if you look at the video, then they are simply yelling "Quit, Abe!":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJiKoWCiCd8

But have they actually thought about anything else? What if Abe WERE to quit? What will they do after that? Have they actually thought about which policies they should support? Do they have some good ideas of their own? How will they win the election after when the LDP term is over? Not much thought have gone into this, see...

They are the same guys that were at counter-racist protests. They have served their purpose somewhat, but what these ceremonial acts do is merely give an illusion that there is an actual "opposition", and that "democracy" in Japan is well and working, since there are these sorts of eye-catching protests freely popping up here and there. But essentially, they are empty and meaningless.

Hope you Abe supporters liked the patriotic 100 billion yen donation.

Cost of doing business in the world of international politics, and its a relatively insignificant amount of money at that. However, it is a good way for Japan to demonstrate its soft power, and that it is still an international player. Further, its important for relations, not just with Ukraine, but with Europe and the rest of the world who is aligned against Russia in this dispute. Feel free to disagree, but it certainly was not an arbitrary decision.

I like the guy. I think he is moving Japan in the right direction in pursuing economic and immigration reforms, as well as seeking independence from the United States.

Of course, it doesn't matter what I think, since I'm not a voter. But the Japanese public generally seems to be happy with Abe, judging by his cabinet's near consistent 60% approval rating. Hope he's stays in office for a good long while.

Now, cue the Ivy-League, expertly trained economists, sociologists and historians telling me I'm an idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about.

MGigante

Cost of doing business in the world of international politics, and its a relatively insignificant amount of money at that. However, it is a good way for Japan to demonstrate its soft power, and that it is still an international player. Further, its important for relations, not just with Ukraine, but with Europe and the rest of the world who is aligned against Russia in this dispute. Feel free to disagree, but it certainly was not an arbitrary decision.

Abe (Japan) should have, and could have simply taken a neutral stance. Japan has nothing to do with this. Japan's relation with Russia is also fairly important.

Of course, it doesn't matter what I think, since I'm not a voter. But the Japanese public generally seems to be happy with Abe, judging by his cabinet's near consistent 60% approval rating. Hope he's stays in office for a good long while.

The Abe approval rating is sinking. Now it's at 48.1%.

http://www.j-cast.com/2014/03/17199383.html

if they would just vote

Abe (Japan) should have, and could have simply taken a neutral stance. Japan has nothing to do with this. Japan's relation with Russia is also fairly important.

No, it could not have given the nature of the territorial dispute with China. Japan has to be seen as a country that respects sovereignty in light of this territorial spat. Also, this further helps to bring Japan and the EU together which is always good, and could pay back dividends.

The Abe approval rating is sinking. Now it's at 48.1%.

http://www.j-cast.com/2014/03/17199383.html>

Well, the very link you provided shows the Yomiuri Shimbun, Fuji-TV and NHK all showing his approval rating over 50% (with two of those being close to 60%)...I'm assuming you don't recognize those figures due to perceived bias.

That said, even going by your own figures he is still far more popular than not.

Ok, then let's go with the most likely neutral NHK, which is at 51%, which is sinking.

Actually, what is more important in that article (in my opinion) is his disapproval rating, which is fairly low at 30%. Also, considering the average approval rating for US presidents from 1938-present is 53%, I don't think Abe is doing too bad at 51% if we only accept NHK's numbers. Actually, if we average all 5 figures then he is sitting pretty at around 52-53%.

@MGigante I think the comparison with approval ratings for US Presidents isn't a good one. US Presidents with low approval ratings still see out a full term in office. With the exception of Koizumi, Japanese Prime Ministers including Abe have survived an average of a year to 18 months in the past few decades. Also, Japan doesn't have anything as like as many partisan, dyed-in-the wool voters who would support their candidate no matter what. Approval ratings for Prime Ministers can turn downwards very dramatically and very quickly to levels unthinkable in the US. There is a growing sense in Japan that the economic policies of Abe are not making the majority of people better off and if the figures after the tax hike aren't agreeable, the majority are more than capable of turning on him in a flash.

Japan has to be seen as a country that respects sovereignty in light of this territorial spat.

This is the salient point. Abe is trying to avoid being a hypocrite. I understand that. Still, I wish he had chimed in a little less loudly and enthusiastically with the rest of the G8 nations in condemning Putin.

As for these demonstrators, "waratte iitomo" indeed - I'm sure laughing. Abe is the best thing to happen to Japan since Koizumi. The guy holding the sign looks like a typical Hatoyama supporter. Thank God Japan got smart and booted that nutter and his party out of power. LDP forever.

hidingout

Abe is the best thing to happen to Japan since Koizumi.

What exactly did Abe achieve? lol...

Well, I'd make a long list but you wouldn't read it anyway. So how about just one ....

How many points is the TSE up since Abe and the LDP came to power? Anyone who has invested their money in the market has made a killing in the last year.

How many points is the TSE up since Abe and the LDP came to power? Anyone who has invested their money in the market has made a killing in the last year.

...that's a good thing? So a few people, even some foreign investors making a killing, but the average get screwed over? That's it? Ya... I'm sure that if you DID make a lot of money from "Abenomics" then Abe would be the "best thing to happen ever", but the rest of the people got screwed over.

that's a good thing?

How is it not? You would prefer a stock market in the toilet?

the rest of the people got screwed over.

Sorry, but who is the rest of the people? You say only a "few people" make money in the market. Strange because I know a lot of people who have made a lot of money this year.

I'm a capitalist and make no apology for it. I have no time to worry about whoever you mean by "the rest of the people". I'm worried about my family, my company, my employees and myself. Managing that is enough for me.

I'll leave the airy fairy talk about dividing the pie up so everyone gets an equal slice to communists and the like.

hidingout

Sorry, but who is the rest of the people? You say only a "few people" make money in the market. Strange because I know a lot of people who have made a lot of money this year.

Statistically, obviously not everyone can "make a killing".

I'm a capitalist and make no apology for it. I have no time to worry about whoever you mean by "the rest of the people". I'm worried about my family, my company, my employees and myself. Managing that is enough for me.

Ok, then how does the Japanese society benefit from all this? It doesn't mean much if the society that you live in is crap, does it?

So much for Abe being the "best thing ever". You only managed to list 1 "good" thing (to you).

Sorry, but who is the rest of the people? You say only a "few people" make money in the market. Strange because I know a lot of people who have made a lot of money this year.

Why, the majority of people in fantasyland are rejoicing!

I'll leave the airy fairy talk about dividing the pie up so everyone gets an equal slice to communists and the like.

Yes, Mitt.

Even Japan is not excluded from having a couple of naive protesters. They are probably the ones who support the communist party or the underdogs of China - the SDP.

Statistically, obviously not everyone can "make a killing".

Yeah. But you stated that "rest of the people got screwed over" which implies that they are worse off than before. Please elaborate.

Yeah. But you stated that "rest of the people got screwed over" which implies that they are worse off than before. Please elaborate.

Again, simple mathematics. Wealth simply got distributed to a rich few. It's not that hard to figure out.

hidingout: "Abe is the best thing to happen to Japan since Koizumi."

That's like saying "hell is the next best thing to heaven", save that you can't really call Koizumi 'heaven'. First off, Abe is NOT the best thing to happen to Japan since Koizumi -- he is a fascist fool who has done more damage to Japan than any PM since WWII. Second, even if you honsetly convince yourself he's the best thing since Koizumi, what is that saying besides he's the only one who hasn't quit within a year of becoming PM? Oops! he DID do that! And quit he should... again.

Sorry TA. You got unemployment rate that was reduced to 3.7% from 4.3% in 2012, you got base up that hadn't happened for nearly a decade, and increase in bonus payouts.

http://www.mizuho-ri.co.jp/publication/research/pdf/insight/jp140228.pdf

Assumptions are "not that hard to figure out" I guess.

＞they are simply yelling "Quit, Abe!":

No, in addition to "Quit, Abe!" they are also yelling something about fascism, and "Shame on you, Abe!"

"Base up" is wasei-eigo, it's not an actual English expression.

Anyhoo, the "voluntary" wage increase is so minimal (an average Toyota employee gets an extra 100 yen a day) that it can't be counted much, and which likely be cancelled out anyway, by the next tax increase. We will see how the Abenomics will turn out after the tax increase.

But hey! The "nationalist" Abe visited the Yasukuni shrine! That counts for something, right?

It's good to see there are finally people protesting against Abe's stance but I think he might probably just scoff at it unfortunately.

No, in addition to "Quit, Abe!" they are also yelling something about fascism, and "Shame on you, Abe!"

In other words... who cares, and they're meaningless chantings.

Abe is the best thing to happen to Japan

Abe served as PM from September 26, 2006 until September 26, 2007 as first term. During his first term, he spent most of the time in toilet for serving Emperor and Japanese people. No Japanese PM can beat him as frequent sitter of toilet.

Abe passed the passage of an anti-terrorism law, involving among other things Japan's continued military presence in Afghanistan in 2007. Back then his unpopularity was sky rocketed. He resigned suddenly after LDP suffered great loss in upper house election.

However Shinzo Abe would like the world to know that he did not resign last year because of failed policies or election losses. The real reason reason for his resignation was crippling diarrhea that forced him to go to the toilet 30 times a day

http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/01/12/why-did-prime-minister-abe-shinzo-resign-crippling-diarrhea/

@Thomas Anderson

I'm trying to figure out what your point is in your comments to this article. On the one hand you obviously have no love for Abe, yet you criticize the activities of those who protest against his government as "ceremonial", "meaningless", "without thought" etc. I'm struggling to see what exactly would make you happy. Shall we riot in the streets like the Ukrainians and tear the country to pieces? Please offer your suggestions.

Also, Abe has been the PM for what, a year? Do you expect him to perform miracles or something? Look at that dolt Obama. He's had six years and hasn't managed to live up to a single one of his la de da campaign promises. Abe is off to a very good start. So far the only complaint I have is his recent acquiescence to the US wrt Crimea.

Statistically, obviously not everyone can "make a killing".

Anyone who had the guts to invest in the future of Japan could have made a killing. I disagree entirely with your simplistic view of the stock market (wealth distributed to only a few). First of all the tax on stock market gains was raised to 20% this year. That's a whole lot of money flowing into the government pockets; money that they can use for building projects, helping the people of Fukushima, building up the SDF to repel the communists, whatever. Second, the people who make money on the stock market spend it. They buy cars and homes, eat out more frequently and go on trips to onsens and ski resorts etc. A vibrant stock market benefits the economy in general. Pretty short-sighted of you to suggest otherwise.

And if I may, please try not to misquote me. There's a long way between "best thing to happen since Koizumi" and "best thing to happen ever". Hyperbole is the last refuge of someone with nothing useful to say. To whit ...

@ smith

I give you points for consistency at least. I suppose you've been repeating the "fascist fool" mantra for so long that you've actually begun to believe it. The facts in the real world however tell a different story altogether. He is popular and doing a good job. Must really grate on you.

hidingout

I'm trying to figure out what your point is in your comments to this article. On the one hand you obviously have no love for Abe, yet you criticize the activities of those who protest against his government as "ceremonial", "meaningless", "without thought" etc. I'm struggling to see what exactly would make you happy. Shall we riot in the streets like the Ukrainians and tear the country to pieces? Please offer your suggestions.

I know these people who are protesting, they are not very politically aware people. They're just doing it for the show. Can they really bring down Abe? Probably not. Are they even trying to create a legit political movement? No.

Also, Abe has been the PM for what, a year? Do you expect him to perform miracles or something? Look at that dolt Obama. He's had six years and hasn't managed to live up to a single one of his la de da campaign promises. Abe is off to a very good start.

Let's see... so far he's managed to:

Visit the Yasukuni shrine Attempted to revise the Kono statement Impose state secrets law He is pro-nuclear Tried to lift weapon exports ban Managed to put ultra-nationalists like Momii and Hyakuta who denied nanking massacre, comfort women and blamed it on the US, as NHK managers Managed to turn NHK into a propaganda mouthpiece for the Abe administration Raised the tax Lowered the tax for corporations

It just goes on and on...

@ Schopenhauer " There is a danger Japan's Self Defence Force will be used for the benefit of America. Interpretation of collective self-defense should remain ambigious so that Japan will not be involved in America's war"

My question to you is it ok for Abe to go barking off at China, NK, and SK and expect the US to be pulled into Japans mess and fight Japans war? Allies have agreements and whatever the countries agree to that what they stand by.

"Base up" is wasei-eigo, it's not an actual English expression.

Thank you. When established, it no longer goes down for it becomes a new wage scale.

"Anyhoo, the "voluntary" wage increase is so minimal (an average Toyota employee gets an extra 100 yen a day) that it can't be counted much, and which likely be cancelled out anyway, by the next tax increase. We will see how the Abenomics will turn out after the tax increase."

Nope. Hiseikikoyouroudousha (like temps) to a 200 yen a day increase. With various reports of monthly increases by companies, it's essentially billions of yen going into the workers. Speaking of tax increases, the mere fact that this overdue issue was passed without serious implication to the cabinet saids a lot for it's easy for those people like on the picture to say "No taxes".