Abe reaches out to Hashimoto for possible alliance

What a great combination, Hashimoto, Abe, and Ishihara! Three stooges anyone?

Abe is also looking for opposition support to revise Japan’s pacifist constitution, promote traditional family values and make changes to the education system to instill more patriotism in students.

Thus destroying the success of Japan's pacifism in order to get ready for war

That combo is a poisonious mix which could only lead to war in Asia.

All are HAWKS - Sorry for Japanese people.

Quelle surprise.

Abe must be delusional to think Hashimoto will be an political asset.

The Three Amigos Abe, Ishihara and Hashimoto would be amusing if they weren't so dangerous.

They won't do what's best for Japan. They will do what stokes their nationalist pride to the detriment of Japan. Clearly time for a new forward thinking leader.

These three guys are iching to start WW3!!

Great decision. This will basically ruin any chance the DPJ has at a comeback, and allow the LDP to get rid of New Komeito.

omg, the worst news i ever heard just before newyear!

I didn't think bad of Abe but WHY reaching to Hashimoto???

Well! This should be interesting.

Interesting how everyone wants to criticize any Japanese politician that wants to revive nationalism and pride in ones country.

But no one wants to criticize WHY these politicians feel that way.

Yes sir, no one wants to criticize the Chinese government and nationalists that went on a rampage last year, destroying Japanese businesses and assaulting Japanese civilians. No one wants to criticize China for bullying Japan and other nations.

Nope, none of these things are related, not at all.

Japan always bad.

A possible scolding by the U.S. might of done it, as Hashimoto experienced the same thing. All very predictable. I think Abe predicts the economy will falter, or a possible drop in support. and is preparing for it. Many have said that Abe was never aligned with Hashimoto/Ishihara. I see, but that was just feel good talk. He did well with the economy for awhile, but why take a turn towards the right?

If Abe can connect Hashimoto and his Japan Restoration Party with Jiminto, then he won't have to rely on New Komeito for help in running the country. Among other things probably bugging Abe, New Komeito (read: Soka Gakkai) didn't support his visit to Yasakuni Shring the other day.

Yes sir, no one wants to criticize the Chinese government and nationalists that went on a rampage last year, destroying Japanese businesses and assaulting Japanese civilians. No one wants to criticize China for bullying Japan and other nations.

@oldman - What are you talking about? The riots were universally, heavily and severely criticised. Why the bleeding heart for Japan?

Ah, what a bright future is in store for Japan!

Sorry ... a stray finger lead to the mispelling of "shrine" above. It's Yasakuni Shrine ... not Shring ...

"if Abe can connect Hashimoto and his Japan Restoration Party with Jiminto, then he won't have to rely on New Komeito for help in running the country"

This is a good point; he is probably trying to shed the new komeito and its headaches with pacifism and colablorate with the JRP. I think we will see new polarized diet, something like whats going on in the U.S.

Please no. Some things perhaps need to change.. But not this way

@dbsaiya

EXACTLY my own thoughts ! But you got there first !

So scary.

He's definitely hurting from the Yasukuni visit, and hence he has to drum up all the nationalist support he can.

Hashimoto, Ishihara and Abe. Hashimoto and Ishihara were well and truly rejected by the Japanese electorate who saw no place for this unpleasant double act in national politics. To allow this grubby and poisonous rubbish into government would be an outrage.

"Hashimoto and Ishihara were well and truly rejected by the Japanese electorate"

Pretty sure Ishihara was easily elected and easily re-elected Tokyo Gov.

I think they had talked for 3 hours to agenda Japanese gikais could not idiscuss in December more than any other items. The agenda both Tokyo and Osaka will have same interests. Did they talk about what they will do after Tokyo and Osaka get rid of US military bases there? Did they discuss about how ti will entice billionairs and multi billionaires ffrom Northern China to Japan? (Ship builders, auto builders, etc).? Entice foreign tourists to Tokyo and Osaka? How about cordination of Olympic? 3 hours are long hours discussion,

Pretty sure Ishihara was easily elected and easily re-elected Tokyo Gov.

I know. Scary, huh?

I don't think Ishihara is interested to go back to Tokyo Governor. Damage control of Inose story is all he can handle. How about his brilliant son Nobuteru who never agreed with Ishihara group. Nobuteru has been with LDP. We have to wait scoop of Abe Hashimoto talks. With new Secret Protection Law, we may not find for a long time.

An alliance is a win win for all parties involved and a hard hit for the other parties.

The Leftist parties of Japan are in turmoil after the rejecting drubbing they all got last election. Now they are scrambling to see if they can unite and try and take power. But, they won't and can't because their politics and economic views have very little support here.

JimizoDec. 30, 2013 - 09:11PM JST Hashimoto, Ishihara and Abe. Hashimoto and Ishihara were well and truly rejected by the Japanese electorate who saw no place for this unpleasant double act in national politics. To allow this grubby and poisonous rubbish into government would be an outrage.

Shintaro Ishihara was not rejected by anyone, he resigned as Governor of Tokyo to run for office in Japanese lower house, which he won.

Tōru Hashimoto resigned as Governor of Osaka to run for mayor of Osaka city, which he won.

In the 2012 elections:

The LDP gained 176, the PRC supporting DPJ lost 173 seats and Ishihara and Hashimoto's party won 43 seats.

So how exactly do you call these facts a rejections?

" How about his brilliant son Nobuteru who never agreed with Ishihara group"

Many say that, but blood is blood. When it comes to Japanese, we get many instances of "Im against this or that" but when faced with group conformity, the "power" overcomes them and they succumb to "we are japanese". Sorry, I dont think his son is so much opposed to his fathers views; he just wants to be a bit of a rebel to distance himself as any son will do, but their both cut from the same cloth.

Japan is a country of many contridictions (including my post) and it may appear that Abe is being desparate, however I would watch things more closely; I dont think he is desparate at all, he is just making plans for something else to suprise us. As Joebigs posted, there isnt really anything to fear from the Left, they have long been disposed of.

@oldman

Interesting how everyone wants to criticize any Japanese politician that wants to revive nationalism and pride in ones country.

No, it's not "interesting", it's obvious. Some people still remember the disastrous results of the last time Japan revived nationalism. And you create a false connection because you don't have to be a right wing nationalist to have some pride in your country's achievements.

But no one wants to criticize WHY these politicians feel that way.

Yes, I do. Deputy PM Aso Taro gave the game away earlier this year when he said he admired the way Hitler brought Germany out of economic depression by galvanizing their citizens into working hard against a perceived common enemy. That is the basis of these politicians' thinking and the methodology they want to use. Instead of protecting the country against the Jews, they want to protect the country against a threat they've carefully nurtured with China and korea.

No one wants to criticize China for bullying Japan and other nations.

Again another false and ridiculous assumption that criticizing Abe & co's nationalism is somehow or other a vote for the way China is governed or behaves towards its neighbors. I would imagine that nearly everyone brought up in a democratic society would loathe the way the Chinese government operates.

@Serrano Read my post. I said 'in national politics'. Ishihara and Hashimoto were trounced in national elections.

JimizoDec. 31, 2013 - 07:40PM JST @Serrano Read my post. I said 'in national politics'. Ishihara and Hashimoto were trounced in national elections.

They weren't trounced in the last election, they are/were a new party and won 54 seats meaning they won and extra 43 new seats.

How exactly is that getting trounced?

Please, provide some facts to what you are referring.

The party that got trounced last election was the DPJ the Japanese were so sick and tired of their "we love China and hate Japan" policies that they lost 173 seats.

Now, I don't know about you, but if my party lost 173 seats I would be worried that my parties policies are not what the people want.

@Mile45: You wrote .... Many say that, but blood is blood. When it comes to Japanese, we get many instances of "Im against this or that" but when faced with group conformity, the "power" overcomes them and they succumb to "we are japanese". Sorry, I dont think his son is so much opposed to his fathers views; he just wants to be a bit of a rebel to distance himself as any son will do, but their both cut from the same cloth.

Japan is a country of many contridictions (including my post) and it may appear that Abe is being desparate, however I would watch things more closely; I dont think he is desparate at all, he is just making plans for something else to suprise us. As Joebigs posted, there isnt really anything to fear from the Left, they have long been disposed of. I don;t think Ishihara Jr, has any chance in LDP croweds. His father;s name and reputations has been rejecting Jr too much, They put his name in many occassions but always he get last on votings in LDP. Unlike many Japanese, he is very stubbon, Please don;t stereotype entire Japanese people in your image. PM Abe himself is doing his way than his grandpa or grand uncle, beside his mother;s side pa and grandpa.

..... This talks, we only learned specutation by media. If you think all Japanese are copycatter of their parents, wrong,. Many politicians have none political occupation parents. If they copycatted, they would not be politicians. Back to topic, they must have talked about SumitomoMitsui proposals of Godaiba develpment and related type development in Osaka.

Thank you Toshiko for your reply. I have read several of your post, while they may seem disconnected (a real problem in Japan with English grammar, but your not alone and no judgement from me) I have gained some insight. Unfortunatly, your revelations are not common knowlede and are not the norm. If you had a more transparent media and educational system, then we could give credit to your post. My post are not parroting the media, its the opposite, Im parroting what mainstream Japanese post. Scroll and read, you can find much of it there.

Mike34L thank you for suggesting me to be fluent in English to write here. How about you follow your suggestion instead of writing :YOUR NOT ALONE type English. Back to topic, Hashimoto and Abe must be talking about cordication of Japan Olympic events and safety in Japan more. My speculation, No violation of Japanese Secret Law.