Aso angers DPJ with remark likening party to Nazis

Tuesday 05th August, 06:05 AM JST

TOKYO —

Newly appointed Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Taro Aso angered the Democratic Party of Japan on Monday by making a remark likening the main opposition to the Nazis, referring apparently to the DPJ’s victory in last year’s upper house election. In a meeting with House of Councillors President Satsuki Eda, who hails from the DPJ, Aso said Germany had precipitated a tragedy ‘‘after deciding to let the Nazis assume power at one time,’’ according to participants at the meeting.

DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama called the remark ‘‘an intolerably abusive statement’’ and demanded that Aso, the LDP’s new No. 2 leader after Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, withdraw it.

‘‘The DPJ won a sweeping victory in last year’s upper house election. But does it aim to win power? The public voted for the Nazis,’’ Aso was quoted as saying, while Eda responded that people today would ‘‘not make such an unreasonable choice. I don’t think the public see the DPJ in such a way.’‘

Aso later told reporters that he did not mean to liken the DPJ to the Nazis, saying, ‘‘I only said it is important to deliberate matters seriously in the upper house’’ out of concern that being negligent in such talks could allow the emergence of forces like the Nazis.

Hatoyama told reporters the DPJ finds it difficult to overlook Aso’s comment. ‘‘In linking us to the Nazis, this remark could give the impression that if the DPJ assumes power it will embark upon oppressive politics.’‘

Azuma Koshiishi, leader of the DPJ’s upper house caucus, also questioned Aso’s comment, saying, ‘‘Is it right for the secretary general of a governing party to say things that could be misunderstood?’’

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Latest 15 of 34 Total Comments Show All

franz75 at 11:23 AM JST - 5th August

I love Japanese politicians!
romulus3 at 11:45 AM JST - 5th August

‘‘In linking us to the Nazis, this remark could give the impression that if the DPJ assumes power it will embark upon oppressive politics.’’

well wont you?
Tatanka at 01:03 PM JST - 5th August

Actually Aso only got it half right: the DPJ are Nazis, but without the brains! If you add up the IQ score of Ozawa & Hatoyama it barely equals the yen/dollar exchange rate...
Beelzebub at 01:08 PM JST - 5th August

Yeah right, when in doubt, the political opponent as Nazi analogy is always good for a few headlines and feigned outrage. Yawn.
RepublicofTexas at 01:38 PM JST - 5th August

The public voted for the Nazis

The fact that he would insult the public in such a way is what I find the most shocking.
GW at 02:16 PM JST - 5th August

tatanka

Then what pray tell is the LDP?????

Not exactly an intellectual bunch you know, but they are quite adept & pilfering & pillaging their own country
nandakandamanda at 02:46 PM JST - 5th August

lipscombe: "why do the worst possible people for the job usually get it?"

Confucius say, (abridged) "Choose for a leader someone who does not want political power, not someone who does."
telecasterplayer at 03:08 PM JST - 5th August

So.. Taro Aso had his job for about.. a day(?).. before shooting his mouth off and saying something stupid? Relations with South Korea are touchy, you gotta wonder when Aso-san will put his mouth in the middle of that mess.
highhope at 03:24 PM JST - 5th August

"What luck for rulers that men do not think."

Aso Hitler
Taka313 at 06:52 PM JST - 5th August

’’The DPJ won a sweeping victory in last year’s upper house election. But does it aim to win power? The public voted for the Nazis,’’ Aso was quoted as saying, while Eda responded that people today would ‘‘not make such an unreasonable choice. I don’t think the public see the DPJ in such a way.’’

After hearing or reading that, I can only imagine how my boy, Ishihara would reply. I'm thinking something on the lines of, "That was pretty forkin nuts. I could top it."

Taka
smithinjapan at 10:52 PM JST - 5th August

Aso has always been and WILL always be a complete moron. Calling someone a Nazi and then saying, "I did not deliberately call them a Nazi, but wanted to distinguish between...." is pretty stupid. Unfortunately, I can see Japan raising its collective shoulder and saying, "huh?" and letting Aso do another few terms in various government positions before the guy finally dies and they revere him.

This guy is one of the LEAST politically correct people I have EVER heard of, and yet he was FOREIGN MINISTER! Sick!
Sarge at 11:01 PM JST - 5th August

"This guy is one of the LEAST politically correct people I have EVER heard of"

Refreshing, isn't it? Nyuk nyuk nyuk!

The DPJ certainly aren't Nazis. Whiners, maybe, but not Nazis.
presto345 at 11:30 PM JST - 5th August

What's all the fuss. The man made an off the cuff remark. Let's wait and see how it affects his popularity and performance!
usaexpat at 11:55 PM JST - 5th August

Open mouth insert foot, what an idiot. You can't go comparing the political opposition to Nazis it just doesn't play well. Was this a ham fisted attempt at fear mongering or just stupidity?
usaexpat at 11:56 PM JST - 5th August

smith, the guys an idiot but calling someone the least politically correct is a complement.