politics

Aso says he won't resign over Nazi comments

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63 Comments
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Aso is a clown. He should know that remarks like that will get him into hot water. Much easier just not saying anything in the first place.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

best Japanese PM that japan ever had.

-9 ( +8 / -18 )

No no no, please resign asap!

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Yeah great PM. Guy couldn't even read his own language.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

Poison spitting uneducated member of a war criminal family that refuses to accept its own history or guilt.

17 ( +23 / -6 )

People in power being held accountable for their actions? In Japan? As if...

It'll be forgotten in a day or two

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Aso's reference to the Nazi's is plain stupid, but what concerns me more is his true sentiments about the democratic construction of society, articulated here:

“I just don’t want the revision to be decided amid a ruckus.”

It is truly scary that Aso and (apparently) others in his party hold such an elitist view on policy-making. That debate on important issues like revising the constitution, especially when it involves opposing views, is a nuisance and should instead be carried out behind closed doors by the 'experts'.

The media is missing the mark in focusing simply on Aso's mention of the Nazis (distasteful as it is).

17 ( +21 / -4 )

When the Diet returns to session in October, I hope the opposition parties pass a censure motion against "Rozen Aso"!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Lighten up and give the guy some lebensraum.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

He's probably leaving. He just doesn't know it yet.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

On TV he was clearly smirking when asked by a reporter if he would retract/apologize...to which he said 'no way'. Aso, Alpha Dog of the week. He gets away with it everytime. Unbelievable!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

He's probably leaving. He just doesn't know it yet

you mean "nantonaku?"

2 ( +2 / -0 )

He should know that remarks like that will get him into hot water.

He does know that gets him some media attention.

It is truly scary that Aso and (apparently) others in his party

Not "apparently". It's totally the case. That's what the LDP has done forever and why I can't stand them. They consult voters, kumiais and still pass laws that get like 80% of opposition.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

No, Aso what you have said has been already delivered to the world and you cannot take it back. No more excuses as it speaks about your soul and we do not trust you as a Japanese leader.

Aso, you struck three times, you are OUT.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"It is very unfortunate and regrettable that my comment regarding the Nazi regime was misinterpreted,"

These are the top 3 favorite words of Japanese politicians. Way to get them all down in 1 sentence. Very concise and to the point!

11 ( +11 / -0 )

and he is a finance minister? during these times when japan is having hard times with its economy, i dont think he should be in the position in the first place.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This shouldn't shock us. Normal service has been resumed after the DPJ aberration and the LDP are back in their rightful place ruling as they were born to do. Expect more jaw-dropping comments from people who've been promoted way above their abilities. I imagine this incident slipped from Aso's mind as he struggled with the kanji on Hotel Okura's lunch menu.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Also will not resign. Why? Because there are plenty in Japan who speak the same mind. After a few days, all will be forgotten and another will step in to say something else. This is like a relay that will go on and on and on.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

This is, you would assume the best Japan has. A product of higher education carried on the back of slave labour (they loved it) now in his rightfully assumed position I have no doubt at all that his cranium is consumed with the well being of myself and my family either as slave labour or if he rightfully chooses a source of revenue for certain power companies. It really is a beautiful world!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

not suprised with what he said. Probably it is what he really thinks. More politicans in Japan may have same thinking, that's why is so called japan turnning into 'right'. Whole wrorld is watching japan.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Whole wrorld is watching japan

Yes, we are.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I imagine this incident slipped from Aso's mind as he struggled with the kanji on Hotel Okura's lunch menu.

Since he's been in politics for so many years, you'd think they had the time to print him a menu in manga.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I don't think I'm being anti Japan when I say this guy speaks filth, and in any other developed country he would likely be removed from office. In Britain for example there would be some kind of demo organised ......and here???

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Aso should choose his words carefully without blurting it out like Hatoyama. Aso also should be aware that he is a former Prime Minister of Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Quote from Jim Morrison "you're all worthless and weak"

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Japanese society has always been an elitest society since the Shoguns came to power, the important thing is how the democratic system keeps checks and balances on those in power so they don't go down the track of history. I don't want to fight no war....

0 ( +2 / -2 )

How can a clown be allowed to resign when he is the main reason for people wanting to visit a circus?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Get out you ass clown!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I think the idea itself is worse than his example to support it!!!

It means minister and official hints the ruling party should hide their ways and unnoticed change the constitution, etc., etc.

This points to dictatorship aspiration and attempt to escape from the public control - something so sensitive nowadays around the world.

Unfortunately not in Japan as far as the people have their comfortable life unchanged... Why bother is their usual reaction and next time they vote XXX again...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The best PM Japan ever had???he was confidently shining 2 weeks and after he look week till his end. He lasted a year. Pitiful job reading in his own language and spending tax money on snackbar. Well but jp people allow him to do whatever so he will stay. Japan is ignoring the whole situation. So lets have him for a while.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Aso makes the ruling class look like clowns.

They should all resign.

Seriously, Elementary School students would do a better job.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

“I don’t want to see this done in the midst of an uproar,” Aso said, according to the transcript. Since revisions of the >constitution may raise protests, “doing it quietly, just as in one day the Weimar constitution changed to the Nazi >constitution, without anyone realizing it, why don’t we learn from that sort of tactic?”

therein lies the swindle, do it surrepticiously, and no one will be the wiser once its up and running

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Mr. Aso, being extremely wealthy, believes he can say and do almost anything he wants. And you know what? He's right!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

lets be fair though... any guy like this Aso whose family made money through enforced slavery of Chinese workers during the war... probably doesn't feel the need to resign after suggesting that Hitler had some good ideas.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Really nothing of concern in what he said. Just that using Nazi Germany as an example was very poor judgment. He doesn't have to resign but he needs to either keep his mouth shut in public.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

He is way out of line and should not be anywhere near public office, he and his familly history are very tainted. Actually quite foul.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

doing it quietly, just as in one day the Weimar constitution changed to the Nazi constitution, without anyone realizing it, why don’t we learn from that sort of tactic?

and

If you listen to the context, it is clear that I have a negative view of how the Weimar constitution got changed by the Nazi regime,he said.

Hard to follow that guy tricky old mind....I think he really meant it and should be "resigned" since he does not want to do it himself

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Aso, you struck three times, you are OUT."

Watch him stay in for the duration.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Don't you think many LDP members advised him to resign? Older members, people who were openly accused to be Burakumin politicians publicly? It must be hard when he can not understand Japanese words Maybe some people created mangas to advise him to step down? Older members to whom Aso advised to expedite to die?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Give the guy a break. He's just representing Japan as a strong patriot.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

Although I don't exactly understand what he is trying to say, calls for resignation aren't really appropriate. This is more or less in line with everything he he has said in the last (at least) 20 years of his political career. Differing depths, depending on how much power he has, or how much power he thinks he can take, but basically consistent. However, NOONE is attacking or berating the people who cast a vote to put him where he is. The guy has a mandate because voters put him there. Some of us don't like it, but clearly some do.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

i love this country, but in all the modern civilized world, only in japan can a disgusting neo-nazi remain a prominent figure in the government. this is really pukable, "regrettable"...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

it just right that he should not resign over Nazi comments, unfortunately it is not the only stupid comment he made. he did a lot and sometimes looks like he was drunk or what, even he speaks in Nihongo, the Nihonjin also do not understand what he was talking about. So as Conclusion, ASO SHOULD RESIGN! he is just wasting a lot of tax payers money for nothing!

P.S. When Aso was the PM, the whole World discovered what was the meaning of "OJISAN"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Aso compared the opposition Democratic Party of Japan to the Nazis

I see that both the fascist Abe and Aso have a habit of accusing people whom they don't like as Nazi-like.

In a speech in 2010, Abe also accused China as Nazi-like, Soviet-like and fearful of the Americans.

This is what Abe said in 2010:

"Since the 1980s, China’s military strategy has rested on the concept of a “strategic frontier.” In a nutshell, this very dangerous idea posits that borders and exclusive economic zones are determined by national power, and that as long as China’s economy continues to grow, its sphere of influence will continue to expand. Some might associate this with the German concept of “lebensraum.”

There has been speculation that the impetus for China’s naval buildup was the 1996 crisis in the Strait of Taiwan. Whenever I think back on this incident, I recall the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 and the path that the Soviet Union took in its wake. The Soviet Union in 1962 and China in 1996 both suffered the indignity of capitulation in the face of the overwhelming naval power of the United States, and both countries threw themselves into building up their navies. We all know how well that worked out for the Soviet Union.

I have no way of knowing how the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party would view this analogy. Perhaps the party’s leaders, despite their fear of meeting the same fate as the Soviet Union, are unable to resist the call of the People’s Liberation Army for a military buildup. In any case, we can state with conviction that China has nothing to gain from an excessive expansion of its military."

0 ( +1 / -1 )

JT's mod's are of the same ilk as Aso and his commentary and beliefs.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The English stories accurately reflect Aso's comments.

Yes, there is no problem with the translation. Even most Japanese agree to that.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

If everybody resigned every time they said something stupid then everybody would be out of work. Of course most of us don't get the media attention when we put foot in mouth. Oh well!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Aso's remark is sure misleading. He meant to say with black humor that the Weimar constitution was changed into the Nazi constitution in silence without anyone realizing it. The Nazis did it mater-of-factly. Mass media didn't make a noise either. Even if the Nazis changed the constitution in silence, it does not mean that democracy should make a noise in revising the constitution. Doing it quietly, why don’t we learn from that sort of tactic?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The Nazi's approach to undemocratically change the consitution didn't work out so well for Germany why would Japan copy it now?

If it really needs to be changed (why?) then hold a referendum and let the people decide... openly and without secrecy.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

To know that high ranking Japanese officials like Aso would make comment like this is a huge disappointment in the international community and totally unacceptable. If he is a man, he should resign. We don't need him. Elected officials are there to serve the public. This should be a wake-up call to citizens throughout Japan that may have been in denial about the sentiments of some elected officials. The citizens must participate with those that are elected and appointed to represent the people. We must hold them all accountable. Racism is alive and well in Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If the article that you read of Aso was sent by KYODO and the morning sun, unfortunately it does not deserve trust. It becomes the great problem in Japan, but the object is news contents than a remark of Aso now. However, it seems to be already late. We may commit mass suicide. In Korea and China, it becomes the good news.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I am pretty sure LDP members, especially people who were insulted requested Abe to do punish Aso to be expelled.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

toshikoAug. 03, 2013 - 06:23AM JST

I am pretty sure LDP members, especially people who were insulted requested Abe to do punish Aso to be expelled.

No they are all in the same camp, Nothing will happen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@grobalwatcher: Abe knows Aso is trying to replace Abe's power in LDP. Aso's grandpa Shigeru Yoshida was PM who hated Abe's Grandpa Kishi and Abe's Grand uncle Satou. Hatred of two families have long history/ So, Abe can use this to get rid of Aso now. Abe does not want to lose his power now/

0 ( +1 / -1 )

JT's mod's are of the same ilk as Aso and his commentary and beliefs

Moderator: This comment is extremely offensive. If you post it again, you will be leaving us.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

i love this country, but in all the modern civilized world, only in japan can a disgusting neo-nazi remain a prominent figure in the government. this is really pukable, "regrettable"...

Same here, I do love the country but dislike their politician at the highest level, probably because I have a model to compare with, not a perfect one but not as bad as this one is, now to the credit of Japanese citizen, if I grew up here with the same archaic model for decades, no real opposition, no way to compare since I am kept in the dark by the elite and the education, who knows... maybe I would say also "shouganai". In a society where the association of gangsters is not even illegal, what can we really expect ?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Abe and company are already trying to rewrite history. Aso said あの手口に学んだらどうか, and that can only mean How about we learn their tricks? It means that they want to learn Nazi tricks to replace the peace constitution with a war constitution because they know ordinary people would never want to change from a peace constitution to a war constitution. And then they can send us young people to die in foreign lands to fulfill their nationalistic dreams of Japanese Empire. Don't be fooled!!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

And then they can send us young people to die in foreign lands to fulfill their nationalistic dreams of Japanese Empire. Don't be fooled!!!

Do not worry I have been watching this guy for decades. His policy in the past was a total failure. I cannot believe Japanese are still allowing this guy to make policies. I have nothing good to say about Aso, Mr. Idiot.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It's time Abe should rein in his lieutenant

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Politician who gets caught praising a murdering dictator wont step down, the hell you say?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I smell fascism perhaps Aso have read the Mein Kampf!?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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