Abe's ratings slip amid doubts over his security policy

No worry even if Abe's rating falls in single digit., he will not resign unless there is re-call from LDP itself.

Abe will ignore all of this because the people gave him the keys to the kingdom....again wait to the body bags start coming back.....

And Abe's Abenomics is also slipping. He has not been able to face vested interests even though that is what we wanted him to do. We didn't want the militarization of Japan. Young people better get involved now that they have the vote because they are the ones that will be dying in overseas US wars.

Hope i dont have to go to war.... need to look after my parents!

Abe's ratings slip amid doubts over his security policy

Good. Let's hope enough to see a better PM replace him

TheTiger I hope you, Japan or any country for that matter does not go to war....The more realistic scenario is that Japan is asked to help out somewhere in the ME and one or a group of JSDF recruits gets taken out by a IED or worse captured. Of course Abe will say deeply regrettable because it is not his son or daughter.

Good. Let's hope enough to see a better PM replace him

As much as I dislike Abe I wonder just who would be better to replace him with, seeing as how it's the party in power that determines who gets to be PM, so instead of Abe, we would get another LDP hack, who would be under the thumb of one or another group or clique within the party.

Japan really needs election reform to make the position of PM answerable to all the people and not just one tiny electoral district.

Abe is on the way out.

Good riddance!

Abe couldn't care less - he has the country in his pocket.

Abe is on the way out.

Better the devil you know....... and Abe is a far way off from being out the door, don't get your hopes up.

This constitutional change is a very strange issue. More than half of the people are against it. Many scholars and law makers are against it, but it will go through unabated due to the 'old boys club' controlling the majority vote. They have already axed half a dozen people that disagreed and they changed the rules so there didn't need to be a public referendum to change the constitution. These cronies are sneaky and underhanded and will do whatever it takes to get their own way. One of the main reasons Abe wants to change the constitution is so that Japan can join the international arms sales, which could possibly be worth billions of dollars. It has very little to do with helping other countries, as Abe keeps staring. It's all about Japan helping itself.

They have already axed half a dozen people that disagreed and they changed the rules so there didn't need to be a public referendum to change the constitution.

When did this happen?

Speaking of constitution change what about the economic reform promised by Mr.Abe. For example it is no secret that the United States is funded by the Japanese government to provide a workforce under an Master Labor Contract (MLC) who employs a huge workforce while the US military civilian and military personnel have dwindled down, yet we the taxpayers share the heavy burden costs to pay on a reducing military presence with the same amount of people and yet the Diet does not cut the MLC workforce. I say this because the MLC employee receives the same benefits as a government worker in both salary and pension plans that no one is looking into this cash cow and our tax payments keep increasing. Why not cut this workforce as the Americans have done and put this workforce into mainstream Japan jobs in factories, manufacturing etc to make up the worker shortage and save the economy wasteful spending.

That's the least of his problems. The country will go bankrupt before a serious security threat is even on the table.

Given that Abe is pushing his own agenda and always has, he'll push the law through regardless. Who cares if 81% of the public think the explanation have been insufficient and more than 50% are flat out against it? This is the new China -- the government doesn't care what the people want, and if you speak ill about it they'll try to shut you down.

Enemy of Abe don't like coup they will work things slowly but effectively even grains of sand can break large stone in the river over period of time.

Abe had declined to apologise for the lawmakers’ remarks at a study group, including a suggestion that corporate sponsors should be pressured to withdraw advertising from media critical of the government.

IMO, this is the most dangerous part of Abe's "leadership". Pursuing policies that the majority of the people do not favor, if you honestly believe they are in Japan's best interest, is one thing. But trampling on one of the basic tenents of a democracy -- freedom of the press -- in order to attain your goals is just quite another. Makes the LDP no different than any other totalitarian regime.

Watch out/ Hashimoto of Ohsaka may join LDP to have Abe's popularity up in LDP. They already had friendly discussion. Aso and other LDP powerful men are ready to take over LDP from Abe now/ But Japanese people are not ready to change constitution. No more wars movement Demo in Japan now.

Confidence in Abe is not slipping fast enough. Abe is arrogant and harebrained. His economic policies have done more harm than good, is views on education are moronic and his militaristic ambitions could get us all roasted. It is that simple. And that frightening.

"slipping in the face of doubts" slide slide slipity slide...

To Abe and the Japanese government the support from the Japanese public is not as important as the support from the American government. So, all these rating sliding doesn't really matters.

It's just hard to be a sort of pioneer and really hard to be at the very top. Just unbelievable that a very modern country like Japan is just grasping the reality of having a military of its own. Why always equate the military to wars? Isn't it they are also very effective in peace besides the reality is there. Every country shld have a balanced facets and the military is one that has been overlooked for so many decades. Ditto for PM Abe for pioneering the idea. It's just very, very hard to be a pioneer. No matter what, his is a big mark in history.

@trinklets2: Many people oppose Japan militarize and sende their forces to oversea because whether Japanese Govt to hide atrocity Japan's military or not, too many people have their families or kins who died oversea and do not trust Japanese govt ability to handle military forces. Self Defense is right but Japanese history of military make us against militarizaion of Japan and Japanese people welcome free debate foreign people do here. In USA. disabled veterans can use VA hisoitals. In Japan, no such thing. There were bunch if crippled veterans in Japan after WW I and II. Govt did not do anything. Do you know why Japan is unable to crush Yakuza? One type of yakuza called Tekiya gave outdoor sales business to crippled veterans and family. Of cause they collected daily comission but at least they could buy food etc. Japanese people bought merchandises from them. Not like USA. War comes, soldiers get injured and Japanese suspect disabled veterans will not be cared. Abe pioneering? To conquer Arabic countries with USA? Instead of DaitoA KyoEiKen, slogan may be DaiArabai KyoEiKen this time. to fool Arabiv Vountries/

@trinklets2, @toshiko: To be honest, I don't want a war to happen either ; No one does. However, Japan has a military; a very good one by the way and war is part of the job that any military does. I find it extremely baffling that the people in Japan (with Okinawa leading the way) complain about the U.S. Military presence and the U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) (Though I conceed some of those complaints are valid.), but then won't "take ownership" of their nation's security needs by making said military "More Offensive and Less Defensive", if you understand that meaning.

i hope we get a new strong opposition to replace abe. we had enough with the funny-choices abe takes. his made japan nobody for some time now

He who trusts his neighbor to defend him, has a bull eye on his forehead. Japan should look to itself first then others for defense.

People need to grow up. Seriously, look at the world we live in. ISIS, aggressive Russia, passive aggressive China, North Korea still being North Korea. Tip of the iceberg, people need to pull their heads out of their "sand". A stronger Japan can be a safer Japan, I really do not see how that is a bad thing. Do NOT want to see a tragedy caused by terrorism or what not to have to wake people up.

^it hasnt affected japan, and it will not. those problems are usa problems not japan problems. japan doesnt want to be part of a east vs west bloodshed war.

Get used to the ideal of Japan in war with China pretty soon. Japan is determined to wage war with China.

Strong N Kores? It is begging food donation from China and Japan.

I don't think Abe's defence policy is the main issue here, but the fact that he is pushing the issue so hard when Japan has bigger fish to fry. People wonder why Abe is trying to change the constitution and increase military spending when the economy is stagnant, cost of living continues to rise, and wages aren't keeping up.

They are also beginning to feel some disappointment. When "Abenomics" was implemented, many hoped that the economy and lives of ordinary Japanese would improve. This has not been the case. And people want to see Abe keep his promises to fix the economy before he begins rewriting the constitution, and spending more money which the taxpayers don't have to build up Japan's military.

To be honest, I don't want a war to happen either ; No one does. However, Japan has a military; a very good one by the way

Nope, Japan has a self defence force. Having a military would violate article 9 of the consitution, and we can't have that can we? Having a US presence at all also breaches the constitution.

PRIME MINISTER ABE is just following the lead of his Guide, America, led by a NOBEL PEACE PRIZE winner, and the First Black American President, the Honorable President Barak Hussein Obama... who has Japan's best interests at heart. When President Obama tells Mr. Abe to... FIGHT -- fight on evermore! -- Abe will be able (using young Japanese soldiers) to Fight On, Fight On to Victory Evermore! Fight! Fight!... so there will be more War Dead at Yasukuni Shrine to honor, evermore.

Isn't the true story that "Abe's ratings slip because there are NO doubts over his security policy"?**

He wants to go back to Japan's military past, no doubt there.

stevchipmunk,

That's right! Abe will not let his country's ally down.

Abe will lead his countrymen to victory, fearless against all opposition, in the name of freedom and democracy.

From a safe bunker in a secret location, 200 metres underground, surrounded by bodyguards.

Nope, Japan has a self defence force. Having a military would violate article 9 of the consitution, and we can't have that can we? Having a US presence at all also breaches the constitution.

Since it was the US which wrote Japan's constitution, they included provisions for keeping US forces in Japan. These provisions have also been part of subsequent treaties with Japan. Sorry Sherlock, it is completely constitutional for US forces to be here.

Abe will lead his countrymen to victory, fearless against all opposition, in the name of freedom and democracy.

Nice try at sarcasm

Yubaru,

I wasn't trying.

That was REAL sarcasm!

Having a US presence at all also breaches the constitution.

No it doesn't.

Having a US presence at all also breaches the constitution.

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No, Japanese SDF is not attacking foreign forces in US miltary base in Japan.

If you want to talk about Article 9, please read (I am not suggesting to study, just read English version) first and discuss.

.

No it doesn't.

I have debunked you on this before: "Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution not only forbids the use of force as a means to settling international disputes but also forbids Japan from maintaining an army, navy or air force. Therefore, in strictly legal terms, the Self Defense Forces are not land, sea or air forces, but are extensions of the national police force."

And again https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_9_of_the_Japanese_Constitution Therefore, if Japan is forbidden from maintaining forces with war potential, then the presence of US forces - with war potential on Japanese soil - technically violates the constitution

forbids Japan from maintaining an army, navy or air force.

Seems you weren't able to read that bolded word there. Here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan

We shall agree to disagree, you shall refuse to do so, either way I don't really care http://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/japanese-protest-security-treaty-us-and-unseat-prime-minister-1959-1960

You can agree to whatever you want. I'm telling you that you are wrong, as evidenced by the fact that Japan is not America, the American military is not the Japanese military, and the fact that the American military has been here for 70 years even with the constitution.

You can agree to whatever you want, I'm telling you that you are wrong, as evidenced by the fact that America is not Japan, the Japanese military doesn't officially exist, and the fact that the American military has been here for 70 years, without the invitation of the Japanese people. (Thank Nobusuke Kishi for that one)

Christopher Glen,

the American military has been here for 70 years, without the invitation of the Japanese people. (Thank Nobusuke Kishi for that one)

Well said.

Just as a word of explanation, Nobusuke Kishi is Shinzo Abe's grandfather, a war criminal who mysteriously escaped punishment in the trials after WWII and who forced through the one sided "agreement" that allows the US to use Japanese land as they like for whatever military purposes they think fit and for Japan to foot the bill.

Oh I'm well aware of who Mr Kishi was. No doubt he made assurances about pushing through the security treaty to "certain US officials" in exchange for acquittal

You can agree to whatever you want, I'm telling you that you are wrong, as evidenced by the fact that America is not Japan, the Japanese military doesn't officially exist, and the fact that the American military has been here for 70 years, without the invitation of the Japanese people. (Thank Nobusuke Kishi for that one)

You just disproved your own claim with that comment. Whether the American military is here with or without invitation, you have acknowledged that it is American military, and not Japanese. Therefore it does not fall under Article 9.

Christopher Glen,

I'm sure you know who Mr Kishi was. I just thought I'd add an explanation in case other readers didn't know.

you have acknowledged that it is American military, and not Japanese. Therefore it does not fall under Article 9.

Yes, it does.