The five candidates for the LDP presidency hold a joint press conference Wednesday.
POOL PHOTO

5 lawmakers kick off campaigns for LDP leadership

Thursday 11th September, 07:00 AM JST

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12 Comments

chibaman at 07:44 AM JST - 11th September

This is so exciting. Who am I gonna vote for...oh wait I'm not a Diet member nor prefectural representative. But thanks for all those vague warm words and maybe some of the other four of you can be PM at a later date.

Nothing like five supposed leaders bashing the DPJ at once before Aso will have the sole spotlight to do it.
lipscombe at 09:10 AM JST - 11th September

Ishihara Jr, oh joy
illsayit at 10:34 AM JST - 11th September

No, I think they are feeling each other out as to how their opinions match up. Koike is just for show though. She says family and community. What she means is, community, she is too socialized.

Definitely Aso! I cant wait! Id vote 10 times for him if I could
illsayit at 10:37 AM JST - 11th September

Why does English media/citizens allllways talk about Japanese politicians as if they are hopeless, when the Japanese media/citizens does not always express that same opinion.

Personal agendas perhaps
lipscombe at 10:42 AM JST - 11th September

when the Japanese media/citizens does not always express that same opinion.

the media dont express it because the media in Japan has no cajones but the citizens are slowly coming around and EVERYONE I have spoken to this week has expressed their exasperation at the latest line up of useless shoe-in politicians.
lipscombe at 10:43 AM JST - 11th September

pardon me, cojones
Scrote at 11:17 AM JST - 11th September

Watching their debate on the news last night I was struck by Aso's inability to write legibly on a board (and don't tell me it was calligraphy). His opinions were just as incoherent as his handwriting, yet he's the front-runner.

I wouldn't mind so much if some of his planned extra spending would be in the form of tax cuts, but it will all go to LDP cronies and public waste projects.
timtak at 02:39 PM JST - 11th September

Which one is the Japanese Ron Paul?
Nessie at 02:57 PM JST - 11th September

Timtak, LOL.
illsayit at 04:32 PM JST - 11th September

yes that program was not very informative, the reporter was hopeless, and he couldnt handle their internal bickering, and idiosyncracies, as well as keep the tv agenda inline (btw either program)

as for spending, its really depends on how you see it. it's like saying you are a democarcy when things arent very democratic. using words that are the official terminolgy and really arent what things are like.

would that be cajones or cojones? either way the media dont express it, ....and who is your everybody? my EVERYBODY say different....

(ok, his-Aso- verbal presentation is lacking, but i tend to put it down to him being a shy type of guy, but very decided in what he thinks would be good for japan, and those ideas are good, imo)
lipscombe at 09:31 PM JST - 11th September

cajones is a kind of cupboard. cojones are testicles, which the toothless Japanese media doesnt have. everybody is everybody I asked this week about the replacement for Fukuda. Aso is shy? he has good ideas for Japan? hahaha ok, we'll wait and see. just what we need anyway, a shy leader.
Sarge at 09:36 PM JST - 11th September

I'd bet 10,000 yen on Aso but no one will bet on anyone else, dammit!