politics

Cartoon capers: Abe uses offbeat PR blitz to rescue ratings

33 Comments
By Linda Sieg

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33 Comments
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We are really scraping the bottom of the barrel aren't we? BTW JT great headline "cartoon capers" is exactly that!

Does anyone have a link to the manga? I would like to see it and see whether he uses the old cross bones and skull for the Chinese flag.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

So far, it isn’t working.

Well, nice to see that the public is waking from their slumber!

Opposition lawmakers accused Abe of talking down to voter

Took this long to figure out? No wonder they are the opposition!

Abe has also taken to the Internet. In one episode on a LDP web channel, he likens collective self-defense to an incident in which “buddy Aso” (Finance Minister Taro Aso) volunteers to protect Abe from bullies - and gets punched himself.

Can I be the one to punch?

The new laws, Abe said, would allow him to defend Aso.

And maybe nobody else would want to!

6 ( +10 / -4 )

It is Abe and his war hawks that will bring about death and destruction. If we stick with and practice article #9, we are not a threat to others. Once Japan becomes a threat it becomes a target as well.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

This servile attitude towards the US is too much evident, Japanese people are not silly and know this change isn't made for the sake of their own country but because of American pressure.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Abe's parading his paranoid delusions on TV is obviously not helping his image.

What a shame!

(Sarcasm)

8 ( +12 / -4 )

The assumption behind the whole thing is that the US is no longer a superpower and cannot be trusted to be able to actually defend Japan. The Greatest Generation put an end to not one but two evil empires, yet now after the longest wars in US history, now they still have not won wars in the middle east lead by men in dresses riding camels and living in caves. They cannot expect anything from the US.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I don't like this just from the standpoint of how much energy this takes away from making changes to society that actually improve people's lives. Meanwhile, education doesn't improve, even little by little and work life is much the same. How are people faring in this economy and what are the economic and fiscal prospects down the pike? This is the main reason I find the security debate annoying. It means that energy is diverted from debating innovation to improve people's lives.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Abe is really and truly desperate. What's next? Is he going to stand on his head?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

PM Abe 「VS Arashi」To Weather The Storm http://www.therisingwasabi.com/pm-abe-vs-arashi-to-weather-the-storm/

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I don't like this just from the standpoint of how much energy this takes away from making changes to society that actually improve people's lives

Please tell me the last time either the LDP or any other party did anything about making changes to society that ACTUALLY improved people's lives here?

The middle class, once the backbone of this country is shrinking at an alarming rate, the poor are getting even worse, the social-welfare system that many depend upon to live is over-burdened, a shrinking population (less tax income) higher taxes, and a host of other problems makes me want to puke about the things that Abe prioritizes in his government.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Yes, Yubaru, and when we start sending young guys off to die in far away US wars, there will be even fewer babies. In 20 years, the government will pass a law saying every woman must give birth 4 times. That is the kind of society we will be living in.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Yes, Yubaru, and when we start sending young guys off to die in far away US wars, there will be even fewer babies. In 20 years, the government will pass a law saying every woman must give birth 4 times. That is the kind of society we will be living in.

The Japanese public will have no one to blame but themselves. Everyone who votes for these LDP fools that follow in Abe's shadow should have their heads examined. They made the choice, and now they have to live with it.

BTW I didnt vote LDP.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Stupid is as stupid does (the voters who support Abe), or in some cases "selfish is as selfish does" (special interests).

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The anime inspired a parody, in which Akari fires back that the legislation is unconstitutional and that the government is acting dictatorially, and asks why it is pussy-footing around by not specifically naming arch-rival China as the threat.

The government is disadvantaged compared to us debating it on the street. Diplomatically, they can't name China as a threat flat out. And they can hardly say things like "It is not 'why now'? We should have done this 20 years ago ... we are 20 years LATE" or "the old interpretation is hogwash, and here's why".

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Abe, who says the changes are vital to cope with growing threats in the region, has vowed to press on. “We are not doing politics to win support but rather, while obtaining support, we want to do what needs to be done,” he said on Monday’s TV show.

But you got into power by obtaining the same support that now you don't need! This is the failure of the democratic process. Say anything to get into office and once there do whatever you want. There should be a political mechanism to prevent this type of thing from happening. If you are going to do something during your tenure which wasn't part of your election pledge to get into office it should require seperate voting in order to validate by the people, not just because you think it needs to be done!!!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Cartoon capers

Abe's looking more and more like Wile E. Coyote.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Abe thinks seriously about threats surrounding Japan though not mentioning China directly. China, for sure, is a big threat to Japan and to the region in the future. China's move is unpredictable. The country is in the stage of attempting to establish a new regime to control a nation with a population of 1.3 billion. Democracy is unlikely to be able to control such a huge country. There will be a new way of controlling a country which will not be like America nor a communist country in the past. We have to prepare for social instabilities which might happen in China during the course of transformation.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

@Schopenhauer

We have to prepare for social instabilities which might happen in China during the course of transformation.

The whole world is being socially destabilized by climate change, environmental degradation, growing inequality, etc... The question is whether this will turn the planet's national and ethnic tribes against each other, as some such as Abe would like as a way to increase their wealth and power, or whether we will find ways to share, cooperate, and peacefully address the many global and local threats we face.

Your anti-China rhetoric only empowers and emboldens the nationalist demagogues.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

That idiot belongs on Sesame Street where he can't do any more damage

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Proof positive that Abe is a twit and his excuses for the militarization of Japan cannot stand against rational argument.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Abe thinks seriously about threats surrounding Japan though not mentioning China directly

Then why the pirate flag for China in Abe's TV pantomime?

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Let me repeat:

Abe and his bogus security bills and flimsy "China threat" are bring presented in a box of unconstitutionality and hypocrisy and nonsense, all of which are totally rejected by the Japanese people.

So, as I indicated before, his desperation now reveals even more how really really bad, illogical and dangerous his aims are. Abe and the rightwingers are sinking faster than the Titanic.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Shin-chan is getting desperate. Puppets on TV, now cartoons. Whatever next? An AKB48 promotion? I think the Japanese people have made their wishes clear

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Meanwhile, there's no sign of Abe's "third arrow" of reforms. The man is hopeless and should be replaced, although the rest of them aren't much better.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

[croteJ

Meanwhile, there's no sign of Abe's "third arrow" of reforms. The man is hopeless and should be replaced, although the rest of them aren't much better.

....and THOSE are both the biggest problems...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Japan doesn't need to change Or to their system rearrange Great food, music, all is fine Provoking neighbors brings decline

Politicians are elected to lead Not protect corruption and greed Or make enemies next door And risk another war

Japan has been doing okay No need to create disarray Don't make the country falter And don't the Japanese way alter

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Brilliant strategy utilize Anime and plastic models to help you get ratings! We all know the Japanese public is gullible and cannot resist either Anime or plastic models! Another ingenious plan by Abe,his ratings will be astronomical by next month!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The strategy is simple:

1) Japan provoques China

2) China reacts

3) Abe makes points and China make points internally

4) China provoques Japans

5) Abe reacts

6) …

7) …

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Does anyone have a link to the manga?

@sandhonour

Here is a link to the cartoon described in this article, Tell me, moustachioed commander! (教えて!ひげの隊長) 4'50":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YzSHNlSs9g

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"Brilliant strategy utilize Anime and plastic models to help you get ratings! We all know the Japanese public is gullible and cannot resist either Anime or plastic models!"

I agree, but I don't think they are that stupid. We will see in a few months.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Sensato. Thanks for the link. Cute lil' cartoon for such a serious topic. Typical isn't it?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It is Abe and his war hawks that will bring about death and destruction. If we stick with and practice article #9, we are not a threat to others. Once Japan becomes a threat it becomes a target as well

so japan should just stick its head in the sand and do nothing but use the US as a big brother? even switzerland has an army ffs.

it's fascinating how many people ridicule japan for being "infantile." but when there is a chance for japan to be a mature player on the world stage it's condemned as a war hawk. puh-lease. as i've said countless times, most countries in the world have the same measures in place, and they aren't starting any more wars.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

so japan should just stick its head in the sand and do nothing but use the US as a big brother? even switzerland has an army ffs.

Um, nope. Switzerland's army acts much in the same manner that Japan's does - self defence only. If Japan had been more forthcoming about its history and wat guilt I'd welcome this move. But as the Japanese have grown up under decades of state-sponsored historical amnesia - I'm rather wary of it

0 ( +3 / -3 )

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