politics

Abe to become Japan's 7th PM in 6 years after landslide LDP win

141 Comments
By Malcolm Foster

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

141 Comments
Login to comment

God help us!

20 ( +27 / -6 )

Japan is its own worst enemy. When, when, when will they learn??

14 ( +29 / -14 )

edojinDec. 16, 2012 - 08:43PM JST

I chatted with the NHK poll counter at my wife's voting station, and he appeared to be rather busy. But not everybody was willing to tell him who they voted for.

And, as written under another heading herewith, as predicted, the LDP is winning big. While watching the results come in via TV I am chuckling at what I'm seeing. Bums, cheats, liars and idiots are being returned to power left and right. And even if someone loses, they are back in because their party won in the proportional represention section, thus pulling the loser into the winner's slot.

So ... we will once again be seeing the same people who led Japan down the road to destruction in the final 10 years of LDP rule. If this is what the voters of Japan want ... then let it be. If they are being deceived by the LDP propaganda machine, then it is their fault.

LDP supporters have been telling me not to worry as their party will save the day. Sure hope so ...

Let's see, now that the election is over and we now know where the country is headed in the months & years ahead, we just have to watch where our hard-earned money is going. The LDP guys squandered it once before ... and now?? Who knows ... ??

11 ( +15 / -3 )

41% voted... pathetic. No one cares about anything despite the big hullabaloo about the nuclear accident. GOOD JOB JAPAN, YOU WIN NO PRIZE.

9 ( +18 / -9 )

Good grief! According to TV results, the Liberal Democratic Party is sweeping all the seats in the Tokyo area. So far Minshuto has not won even one seat. At least we know how Tokyoites think ...

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Voting turnout worse than in the u.s. Japan is in decay and the populous knows it....

7 ( +10 / -3 )

No, no, no!

Tell me it isn't true!

5 ( +10 / -5 )

This is less a vote for the LDP than a vote against the DPJ and their failure to live up to their promises in their so called "manifesto".

One problem is that Ishinnokai, Ishihara's and Hashimoto's party very well could win more seats than the DPJ which is an even bigger problem waiting in the wings.

I've talked to a number of people about this election and many see no option other than the LDP which will bring back an era of unbridled public spending.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Great!

2 ( +8 / -6 )

One problem is that Ishinnokai, Ishihara's and Hashimoto's party very well could win more seats than the DPJ which is an even bigger problem waiting in the wings.

I'm more upset that Restoration is winning so many seats WTF JAPAN. Japan moves towards far-right...

1 ( +10 / -9 )

I kn ew the the LDP would gain seats, but I thought that there would be a little more balance. Way to go selfish (older) voters...People over 60 already control 90% of Japan's wealth. This imbalance will just get worse as younger workers pay for older retired people (collecting on ave. an excess of ¥39,620,000 in pension benefits above what they paid in). Also who will fight the battles that Abe will hope to start?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

It feels like Germany, 1933.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It is truly frightening how many seats Ishihara and his little merry band of right wingers have won. Clearly old folks want a war with China because surely, Japan has nothing better to spend money on? Little men with pride issues.

5 ( +14 / -9 )

How many seats did Ishihara's party win?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Ok Abe, get to work and start printing that YEN

Need to fix the exchange rates so I can buy more flashy toys that make me look like a bigger douchebag ^_^

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Everything happens for a reason, although not necessarily a good one(s).

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Oh and Koizumi Jr.... Ugh. Someone do away with him.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

How can we make sense of a sweeping LDP victory? It is quite unimaginable that after a country has not one but three nuclear reactor meltdowns and widespread exposure to radiation the public would vote in the political party that created the regulatory environment which led to this man-made disaster.

Gorbachev even says Chernobyl – not Perestroika or Reagan’s Arms Race –caused the break up of the Soviet Union.

But in Japan it is just business as usual. Is there any other nation that can negate history as fast as this one?

13 ( +18 / -5 )

Even if I didn't support all of Noda's thinking, there was some hope left, somehow. Not anymore. At least a lot of things are clearer now. Japan is on the wrong path for good. It's people will suffer even more and for nothing but the well being of the politicians and their amakudari friends. Sad day for Japan. I really wonder how the LDP voters will react in the next months... desperate and disillusioned.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Time to pack your bags, people.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

I obtained my Japanese citizenship and I went yesterday. My wife and I both voted for minna no tou. Here's a question to all JT posters who can't vote : which party would you have voted for and why?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Don't worry people... not much will change.

Oh wait, that's what we should be worried about!

Well, no good change is likely IMHO.

Be interesting to see what happens between Japan and China.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@fupayme I think you have things a bit backward. If Abe does what he says the yen will drop in value not increase. This is the reason the yen has dropped so much since the election was announced.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Mr. I would have gone with Noda because he's the only person I think who is right for the job. He certainly isn't prefect but he's better than the other options. I like MInna no tou but I don't like that they have Ozawa and no clear idea of how they will stop nuclear power. Personally I want Kan back in rather than Noda but...

0 ( +7 / -7 )

This is great short-term news for some construction companies.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

I'm not quite sure what all the fuss is about ......Japan's debt is moutainous - neither party will be able to fix it in the near, medium or even long term.

I think the NPPs will get their safety-related fittings and modifications made, although whether policy going forward will encourage ongoing safety regulations is a big question.

What else? Pensions? They will continue to be cut no matter which party holds the reins of power.

Consumption tax will go up regardless of which party is in power.

I think foreign policy is the primary and biggest potential problem area of concern.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Be interesting to see what happens between Japan and China.

I think the good news is that Abe is two-faced... China is actually hopeful that Abe will restore the relation between China and Japan. The bad news is that he is pro-nuclear! And a whole bunch of other things that are not good for Japan.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

I think like most politicians, Abe and co. will support something the public generally opposes until something catastrophic happens.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Thomas AndersonDec. 16, 2012 - 10:27PM JST .

I think the good news is that Abe is two-faced... China is actually hopeful that Abe will restore the relation between China and Japan

That's bollocks, China doesn't want to have any good relationship with Japan and who can blame them?

China was the 4ft 5 kid on the street, who got bullied. Now China's 6ft 2inches and 30 kgs heavier and wants payback. The japanese have just played into China's hand with this election.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

Japan is its own worst enemy. When, when, when will they learn??

Never.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

That's bollocks, China doesn't want to have any good relationship with Japan and who can blame them?

They are economically intertwined, they aren't stupid.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Well, it seems the electorate is not disturbed by the fact the LDP had saddled the nation during its tenure with a huge budget deficit, and they can expect some more of that hearing the promises of Abe, who actually could not stomach the way things went a few years back, to increase public spending. Some things never change. And isn't it the innocent, or ignorant, who choose the like?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Thomas AndersonDec. 16, 2012 - 10:42PM JST

They are economically intertwined, they aren't stupid.

Passion has nothing to do with economics and China for sure will cut of their face to spite their nose and Japan has been doing that for the last 30 years with their Asian neighbours.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

The LDP is going to win more than 300 seats.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

As Warispeace (several posts above) correctly pointed out, this was essentially a referendum on whether or not Japan should continue nuclear power. And, guess what? They chose nuclear power. This is right after the world's worst nuclear disaster just ruined the country's agricultural heartland and consigned thousands of people, many of them children, to cancer. I mean, do you realize that the LDP was actively mocking the DJP's anti-nuclear stance? And the Japanese people just elected the LDP by a landslide. To say this idiocy boggles the mind is wild understatement.

Oh, and let's not forget that the LDP also proudly boasted during the run-up to the election that they would continue with wasteful public works projects of the sort that has Japan sinking in unimaginable debt.

And I won't even go into the fact that the LDP has also hinted that it's going to take a hard line with China, which is a boast about as foolish as Saddam Hussein promising to give the US military "the mother of all battles" (not that I was ever in favor of the invasion of Iraq, mind you).

One thing that really puzzles me is these vast swings in public support for the parties. It all seems so scripted. I recall the runup to the previous election: it was like it was announced in advance that the DJP were the going to win and therefore everyone voted for them. This time, it was basically announced that the election would go to the LDP and, voila, the LDP wins in a landslide. Truly, the people are simply following directions.

Well, as several posters above have pointed out: the Japanese have made their bed (dug their grave?) and now they must lie in it.

I'm happy to say I also voted. I voted with my feet about two years ago to leave Japan. Today confirms that it was the best decision I ever made.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Good.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

The big impact may well be the exchange rate. The yen has been weakening and Abe is keen to see it fall further. Dollar yen heading towards 90, but 95 ti 100 in the next year quite likely.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Tmarie, Ozawa's new party is mirai no tou, not minna no tou. I would never vote for Ozawa. But thanks for answering the question.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I'm just glad that Japan isn't going to renounce nuclear power. Oh and the whole LDP inflation target thing is a pretty solid idea too.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

Ishin is neck and neck with Minshu. With the far right as king maker Japan could indeed be well on its way to having a new Fascist regime. This is not good news at all.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Inflation is a tax. It is a tool for inept governments to finance their debt. Nothing new here.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Chill guys. There'll be another election next year... and the year after.... and the year after that....

5 ( +7 / -2 )

RIP Japan......

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I see this as a gift to China and Korea. This will make those two countries seem less like the bogeyman,and will also accelerate Japan's drop into the gutter - something clearly those two countries would love to see. Yes indeed, Japan is its own worst enemy. As a non-Japanese, I have the luxury of leaving permanently whenever I want, should things get really bad here. I feel sorry for those who genuinely want to see Japan thrive without all this fascist BS and try to get on with the neighbours. The same old crap, recycled. I predict another change in PM in a year's time - whether it's due to a scandal, incompetence, lack of confidence or diarrhea problems.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Why am I not surprised. LDP won the election long time ago when they started paying off the media. 41% turn out? The other 59% must be under the age of 50 and anti - LDP. Just fed up with the whole process.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Right, LDP. I more or less ignored politics until now, but this is too much. You've got lucabrasi on your arse from now on. Bwa ha ha!!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Wow... I was told Saturday that the estimate was they'd get 60 to 70 % and I said that was not possible, that people were so disgusted of the LDP and Abe... I was so wrong. They forgot and forgave everything.

During his time as leader, Abe

Bochan leader, the return.

One thing that really puzzles me is these vast swings in public support for the parties. It all seems so scripted. I recall the runup to the previous election: it was like it was announced in advance that the DJP were the going to win and therefore everyone voted for them. This time, it was basically announced that the election would go to the LDP and, voila, the LDP wins in a landslide. Truly, the people are simply following directions.

In the sticks, the election are bought, it's known. But in cities, it's weird. Is some cheating possible ?

Here's a question to all JT posters who can't vote : which party would you have voted for and why?

"Cos no to", a new party made of new-nihonjins (zainichi and migrants from all over the world). If we could vote, we could be elected too. And then, once I'm a MP, I vote against Abe.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The LDP, a CIA supported party after WWII, a party in cohorts with business, dirty money and AND the nuclear industry. Japan, you will reap what it is you have sown. A very sad day. Shocking. Even Fukushima districts have voted them in. JHFC. Beyond believe.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Time to pack your bags, people.

We've survived the burst of the Bubble, Abe.1 and 3.11.

As a non-Japanese, I have the luxury of leaving permanently whenever I want, should things get really bad here.

Moving to China now ... or waiting for China to cross the sea ? Nimen shuo zhongwen ma ?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

unbelievable.... made me very worried with Japan's future...

7 ( +8 / -1 )

An abject failure the first time around and then leads his party to a landslide victory in a choice between losers, nutcases and non-entities. I suppose someone had to win.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

So let me get this straight. Everything the Japanese people said they DIDN'T want they've gone ahead and voted FOR. Beggars belief!

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Why does Abe think it's ok to change his views on historical events repeatedly, as if revising history is even acceptable???

7 ( +8 / -1 )

As soon as Mr. Abe's chronic irritable bowel syndrome acts up again, Japan will have another BM -- er, sorry I meant to write PM.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Looks like people blamed the DPJ to be responsible for the earthquake and the nuclear desaster. LPD makes it all go away.... sanzaru technique. People still fall for it.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

"My vote was in the form of a plane ticket home. Best decision I ever made."

that's right! you are welcomed to leave. Don't look back, or come back because Japan doesn't need you.

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

"But in Japan it is just business as usual. Is there any other nation that can negate history as fast as this one?"

America for its gun controlling laws. China (coal mines, earthquakes, high speed rail derailment issues that caused hundreds of dead) and the list goes on.................

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Naoto Kan was PM for 14 months. I don't think Abe will last a year, the LDP are probably already deciding who will be next in the big seat, when the new PM's popularity will drop to around 20%, as it inevitably will....

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"Why does Abe think it's ok to change his views on historical events repeatedly, as if revising history is even acceptable???"

because he's a politician. Trusting a politician is similar to planting money trees.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Japan needs to be more assertive and fully engage with the fast changing pace in the world. The voters spoke that Japan should not be a punching bag or an object for blackmailing by surrounding dictator nations. Stronger Japan will be a positive factor for the rest of the world, since every nations out there are for their own interests. Japan has many things to offer to the world besides AKB48 and liberal leaning Western agenda. Cheers..

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The Japanese people who voted for the LDP and Ishihara are living in cloud cuckoo land. Back to the bad old days of patriotic education, visits to Yasukini, changing the Constitution, building more airports in the middle of nowhere, denying The Rape pf Nanjing, teachers being forced to salute the Hinomaru and stand for the Kimigayo, maybe even the return of the Thought Police? Japan getting the nuclear bomb.yes, a great day for old Japan. The beginning of the end.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Thank you China for waking us up. You are getting us to realize that we don't live in a Utopia and this Article 9 is bringing us more damage than peace, as you are trying to do whatever you want knowing that Japan cannot do many things due to this Artcile 9. Now there are more an more Japanese who are in favor of changing the constitution and re-militarizing Japan, which resulted in the victory of LDP.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

the old, the slightly unstable and the rural have spoken!! Unfortunately, their votes are generally worth twice as much as the young, the sane and the urbane.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

JaymannDec. 17, 2012 - 04:35AM JST

the old, the slightly unstable and the rural have spoken!! Unfortunately, their votes are generally worth twice as much as the young, the sane and the urbane.

The older generation of Japan does not care. They only think about themselves .I speculate that the LDP probably would not stay in power too long, and hawkish Ishihara will take over and become a next PM of Japan. You know the rest. I am very pessmistic about future of Japan..

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Notice only the non Japanese are complaining about the free and open election. Good very good, shows they have no respect for the people of Japan. So you can complain all you want. It will not change a thing and do not blame me I voted Socialist.

-15 ( +5 / -20 )

YuriOtaniDec. 17, 2012 - 05:13AM JST

Japanese are complaining?? I do not think so, Yuri. Many gaijins have Japanese friends and families or they are living in Japan. We all want Japan to succeed. I think they are truly CONCERNED about Japan..

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Dec 16, 2012, the day Pacifism died...

2 ( +7 / -5 )

The night could not have gone better, but it did.

First I the pro PRC DPJ loses in what can only be described as a drubbing. The word came that Mr Ishihara won I thought that was good, but then the giant and I do mean GIANT strawberry landed on top of the cake, the PRC's favorite tool Ms. Makiko Tanaka had been booted out of her seat!

Oh this night was a great night indeed!

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Things won't be better with the same bureaucratic system and the same public. The pole survey for the prime minister will drop and there will be complaints to hammer him down. There will be a change for the prime minister, while the rest of the world takes different ways.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Meet the new boss..

Same as the old boss

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

41% voted... pathetic. No one cares about anything despite the big hullabaloo about the nuclear accident.

We would have gotten a bigger voter turn out if there was and AKB48 party and the politicians were 18 year old girls wearing skimpy outfits

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The economy has been in dire straits these past three years

Said Mr Abe, whose previous, pant-soiling premiership was a paragon of opulent economic miracles.

Why don't these people ever learn anything?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Abe economic policy is Spend, Borrow and More debt. If he can not pay the debt, he will borrow more. Japan real debt is more than 200% of GDP. Unlike Greece, the debt belong to locals not foreigners. However it there is a default or does not meet the bond obligation, there will be a exodus of capital flight. His policy is fairy tale and can not sustain for a long term.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Congrats Japan! No complaining when conscription and war rolls around...you bought this BS.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

China has been happy to lend heavily each month to Noda. Will they be so keen to lend to an Abe led government?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Unfortunate - yet predictable - results just gave me the same problem Mr Abe had when he had to "step down"...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Kan and Noda were by far the best PMs Japan had (probably since, or even including Koizumi). Had the world economics been different they might have even succeeded what they meant with the "Manifesto". Both world economics, the economy of Japan and the quake sealed the fate of their party.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Abe and the LDP will give a shot in the arm to certain construction companies. I expect to see more road construction!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Anybody smell that? Must be all that pork rotting in the barrels.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

YuriOtani:

Notice only the non Japanese are complaining about the free and open election. Good very good, shows they have no respect for the people of Japan. So you can complain all you want. It will not change a thing and do not blame me I voted Socialist.

As another poster said, some non-Japanese living here have Japanese families, can't leave and would like to see Japan better itself. My partner is Japanese and I don't want my partner or the family living in a fascist dump where you can't say what you think, where there is no hope for the future and where only a lucky few (through birth) get to run the whole place.

So you voted Socialists? Lucky you, since you don't live in Japan. Must be comfortable sitting there all the way over in America watching this happening to Japan.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

To make up for the previous 6 prime ministers' short terms, including Abe, Abe will be prime minister-for-life.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Approximately 80% of Japanese are anti nuclear power.

The pro nuclear LDP won 293 of 480 seats.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

To Pukey

What makes you think that LDP is a fascist andwill limit the freedom of expression?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The only vote that counts - a plane ticket home! I think the only person to win this election was me!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

So in the past 6 years, Japan has had more PMs than Asahi Beer has had campaign girls.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Notice only the non Japanese are complaining about the free and open election. Good very good, shows they have no respect for the people of Japan. So you can complain all you want. It will not change a thing and do not blame me I voted Socialist.

Well first off a lot of Japanese are complaining about the result as well. And at most 20% of the voters voted for LDP and 10% voted for Restoration. That's not what I call a majority decision.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Congratulations to Abe, he was an excellent PM before and will make a good one now, Japan needs a firm hand and a clear view ..and he will help strengthen everything. I find it rather amusing to see all the negative posting from people who i suspect don't really have the best interests of Japan to heart. I am happy that the country will have a chance to move forward facing some tough challenges. Congratulations.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Thomas Anderson,

I'm more upset that Restoration is winning so many seats WTF JAPAN. Japan moves towards far-right...

JRP is not "far-right". It is just normal, common sense party. It is crazy far-left parties who are thankfully few in representation. Even 8 seats for "Future Japan" party is too much. It is not "Future" party, it is like 1950's party. They just oppose everything, like Shaminto. Such lack of leadership or vision is not what Japan needs.

JRP is only party which was truthful about terrible state of Japanese public finances. Hashimoto was only politician who had courage to say that Japan must cut public spending. It is the clear truth. Japan spends two times as much money each year as it takes in tax revenue.

It is hard to buy votes of special interest groups such as pensioners with such honesty. Even so, they could become almost the 2nd largest party just weeks after forming.

This time they will not be part of ruling coalition, I suppose.

But if LDP fails, finally Japan will have hope in JRP at the next election.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

To me the result wasn't unbelievable at all. Those who are surprised about this don't know Japanese people.

So, if you were honestly surprised about this result, then maybe you should think twice the next time you proudly pontificate about what Japanese are thinking.

The result was totally as I expected.

I might add that I think the result is terrible unfortunate. But, it went the way I thought it would.

If you are a foreigner in Japan, I would be prepared for Japan to become increasingly right-wing and anti-foreigner. Because the economy is not going to get better. There will no doubt be another big earthquake somewhere in Japan in the next few years. LDP has no fresh good ideas about how to fix Japan. That should be obvious. But, the more Japan sinks, the one thing LDP and Isshin no Kai will be able to say that will resonate with the Japanese public is that the old days were better and Japan has to go back to it's roots.

Look at how Tepco was not held to account, and still isn't. Japan isn't fixing the fundamentals, and LDP getting in means there is no hope for that now. Japanese people have poor memories.

I suggest....if you want to know the way Japan will go - just keep watching Japanese TV. It's the best indicator.

The simplest way to influence people who don't think deeply is with TV. And TV still rules in Japan.

btw Yuri. I love Japan. Unlike you, I live in Japan and are raising my children as Japanese. I encourage them to sing kimigayo and wave the hinomaru, I send them to public school here. and I want them to love Japan.

And I wouldn't mind if they went to Yasukuni.

After the earthquake was the best time in since WW2 to change for the better. After harassing Kan, and this election, it should seem obvious to anyone that Japan has missed it's chance.

But, Japanese will can come back. Japanese are great people. They just deserve better leaders.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It doesn't matter which party you choose, the system is set in stone, the bureaucracy will mill on the same, whoever is in charge. I don't see any major changes happen anytime soon.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Blind leading the Blind, No future ,no will ,No Change, RIP Japan....

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The result was totally as I expected.

I agree as I have been reading Yahoo comments (posted by younger generation) that favor strongly LDP and a number of young people with hinomaru flags in Akihabara gathered for Abe & Aso’s campaign speech.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQU1tVRAVXQ

If you are a foreigner in Japan, I would be prepared for Japan to become increasingly right-wing and anti-foreigner.

Maybe more like anti-Korea/China which would make my husband’s job (JCG) harder…:'(

I didn’t vote for LDP, btw.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Well, as an ex-pat you have the option to return to your home country unless all your eggs are in one basket. Multiple baskets for the win! :D Besides unless you're Japanese, your voice does not matter. So no need to cry about the outcome you didn't want.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Doom!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Thomas Anderson,

No need for personal attack, although I understand as a left-wing person you are feeling personally frustrated.

However, do you not agree with JRP statements that Japan's public spending should be reduced and pension system needs revision? (Also, please do not change subject to whaling. Japanese fiscal problem is of completely different scale and to discuss whaling in this context is not serious)

Also, what is wrong with JRP policy on nuclear energy? It is more center than LDP policy, and quite common sense.

Crazy far-left parties would just say "no", to nuclear energy. But they have no realistic proposal besides it. Japan needs serious political discussion, not slogans for elections.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Was in Ginza yesterday and it was mobbed, never would have known it was election day. People were more interested in buying their new heat tech gear from Uniqlo.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

No need for personal attack, although I understand as a left-wing person you are feeling personally frustrated.

Not that frustrated, although Hashimoto seemed to have been displeased with the result.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

If you are a foreigner in Japan, I would be prepared for Japan to become increasingly right-wing and anti-foreigner

No I think I will just carry on with my perception re:attitude towards foreigners and that is one which is generally positive and interested. I personally don't need your paranoia or negativity.

I suggest....if you want to know the way Japan will go - just keep watching Japanese TV. It's the best indicator.

Couldn't agree more. Note the infatuation with just about everything foreign. If you think national politics and the latest biff over territory is an indication of the average Tanaka's attitude towards foreigners, I feel you are mistaken.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"Ishihara was the one who stirred up the latest dispute with China over the islands..."

Good. So no more denial about this fact by nationalists on this site.

Jansob: I bet 13 months -- he'll want to surpass his last record by a little. But I CAN already hear his tummy rumbling.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Pukey2 am in Okinawa now and have voted in the election. Think most of you are wrong as Japan will not become "right wing" but isolationist. It is impossible for a society to be bashed so and continue. Japan will turn its back on the rest.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Voting should be mandatory and PM should stay 4 years in charge. Daydreaming, I know. But the way it is now, 6 PMs in 6 years, Japanese polítics looks like a bad party that never ends.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Oh no...Abe is back as PM, and to make matters worse there is talk that Aso is likely to be Deputy PM..... UNBELIEVABLE!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Pukey2 am in Okinawa now and have voted in the election. Think most of you are wrong as Japan will not become "right wing" but isolationist. It is impossible for a society to be bashed so and continue. Japan will turn its back on the rest.

Bashed by whom? It seems like Japan is not even trying anymore. People are saying, "Look Japan, this is YOUR country that is at stake". But they don't know what the others are talking about. They would rather run away and hold onto illusions than face or deal with the problem

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I read most of the comments and I share the prevailing sentiment that Mr. Abe is "less than ideal" (to be diplomatic in the extreeme). I also share your senitment that 41% turn out (btw, is this data confirmed? At 10 pm last night News Zero was talking 52%) is pathetic in a country where people have the right to do what North Koreans only dream of doing - choosing their own govt.

However my point (and I do have one) is that for those that did vote, the will of the people is clear even if I do not totally agree with it. We had a messy, perhaps imperfect, and TOTALLY BLOODLESS transfer of power from one political party to another. No secret party organizations knocking on doors at night, no riot police using live ammunition, no tv stations going off the air. All-in-all, I rather like this way. Just thought I would point that out.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

So so so disappointing.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

won 293 seats

Abe is right up with Koizumi's numbers back in September 2005 when Koizumi won with 296 seats.

You know Abe's going to be bold like Koizumi.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Centre Left, centre right. Not radically different.

They way some of you are carrying on, you'd think Adolf Hitler won the election.

Calm down folks, it's not the end of the world.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Why would anyone want that stuttering, puffy-faced, my-tum-tums-hurts, nationalist, quitter back in charge?

The turnout was a joke. It just proves that most people here really couldn't give two hoots what happens to their country. And, anyone who thinks this will change anything, is an idiot.

I'm wondering which election promise Abe will start back-tracking on, blubbering some garbage out of his speech-impedimented mouth, first.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Thomas you do not understand, not at all. The DPJ screwed up by the numbers and the people went back to the LDP. It is time for Japan to reinvent itself from #2 world economy to #10 or #20. The important thing is not outdoing others but doing well for ourselves. The yen is too strong and the greedy rich are destroying Japan. Perhaps in 100 years there will be only 40 million in Japan. While the rest of the world is smothered in people. We will be able to feed and provide for ourselves. The age of mindless consumerism has to end.

I do not see the LDP being up to the job. Sunset has always been my favorite time. Look how pretty it can be as is autumn and the promise of spring.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Only 27.66% voted for LDP, up by mere 0.93% from the last election which was 26.73%. LDP only won by people NOT voting for DPJ.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The Japanese are like crabs, can't go forward. RIP Japan.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The turnout was a joke. It just proves that most people here really couldn't give two hoots what happens to their country. And, anyone who thinks this will change anything, is an idiot.

And yet around 10% more than the US. I guess Japanese are more interested in politics than Americans.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And yet around 10% more than the US. I guess Japanese are more interested in politics than Americans.

Who cares about America. The article is about Japan.

Stories on the news etc about people being so passionate about nuclear power, the Senkakus, the economy, must have only been talking about the 41%. Because the rest obviously don't care.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I just get the feeling most Japanese people are too busy walking around in cloud cuckoo land with their noses in their keitais to actually give a sh^t about the train wreck that is happening around them. It makes me mad, young Japanese should wake up and claim your country from those idiots!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Voter turnout was around 59%

Back in 2005 when Koizumi won with 296 seats, nationwide voter turnout came to an average 50 percent.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So, at the next annual G8 or whatever, will Mr. Abe be the first Japanese Prime Minister that President Obama has met twice???

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Who cares about America. The article is about Japan

Well before you go off firing your big broadsides about how the Japanese are apathetic and ignorant, perhaps you need a bit of perspective about non-compulsory voter tunouts in recent history, tiger.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The voting rate was 59.32%; the lowest rate since WWII.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20121217/k10014235231000.html

2 ( +3 / -1 )

A disillusioned population doesn't vote, so by default you end up with only older voters electing a right wing government, with multi-millionaire leaders with no idea of what it's like to be an ordinary person and a party that wants to isolate itself from it's surrounding countries - who am I talking about? The UK. Good luck guys, we're in our 3rd recession since they came to power, have huge unemployment where skilled people only have the option of a part time job and government borrowing bigger than under a socialist government!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan will not become "right wing" but isolationist. It is impossible for a society to be bashed so and continue. Japan will turn its back on the rest.

If you really want this you deserve the misery and hardships it will bring, don't wish it on the rest of us though.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

it''ll buy Abe some time with the policies of printing money and building roads to nowhere, my crystal ball tells me that he will stay in power for 18 months barring another stomach ache episode, he will be the the longest serving PM in the recent history when he steps down, not a small feat if you think about it

0 ( +1 / -1 )

tmarieOCT. 17, 2012 - 02:21PM JST Wake up Japan! You aren't on top economically and it isn't just China that sees this type of thing as a slap in the face. I swear if Abe becomes PM again, I'm moving out of this country. When, when, when will this country learn? Posted in: LDP chief Abe visits Yasukuni Shrine

When are you leaving? Remember now, you swore. Don't break your promise.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

"also improve relations with China"

Please spell out exactly how you would improve Japan-China relations. Oh I forgot, you did say you would build a lighthouse or something on the Senkaku Islands, that will be a good start

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In and Out...In and Out. In America it is a great hamburger chain. In Japan a description of the term of prime minister...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Uhh, what was the turn out at this election again, how many people cared about their fate? Oh, yeah, about 50%? Right, 50% has a say in all this mess. The rest just shut up and bear the consequences.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Tomorrow Party of Japan: 9 (down from 61)

aka Ozawa Party aka ex-DPJ cockroaches aka no-nuke party.

The general public weren't fooled.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Many of the posters here are disappointed with the election outcome. Surely a lot of Japanese people are with you. But not the Chinese and Korean though, they keep laughing nonstop for the recycled J gov’t.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It is time for Japan to reinvent itself from #2 world economy to #10 or #20.

Best thing I've seen in a long time. Yes, stop trying to be a major super power if you don't have the land and resources for it. It's just not going to happen. Better to follow the lead of a handful of European countries that care more about governing themselves than about impressing others.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I just want to say to the Japanese voters by quoting the former Arizona Cardinals’ coach Dennis Green “They (You) are who we thought they(you) were”

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Congratulations to Abe, he was an excellent PM before and will make a good one now...

Is this the same Shinzo Abe we're talking about? The same man who botched one upper house election campaign whilst LDP Secretary General and outright lost another whilst Prime Minister, who appointed four cabinet ministers who all had to quit and now has nothing better to offer than the same old LDP pork barrel politics?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Yuri your country is doomed. Suck it up princess. I live here and take the best out of this country but I learned as a foreigner its futile to even suggest what you think because our opinion does not matter. I'l just sit back and watch you sheep jump off the cliff one by one and eat my popcorn because as someone just stated, its best to have your eggs in multiple baskets in this country and abroad.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@Tibbs

its best to have your eggs in multiple baskets in this country and abroad.

You got that right. Nothing I see every day here tells me that Japan will recover, or even make the changes necessary in an attempt to recover. So many people blaming the strong yen for the problems, then why was Japan in the cack when the yen was 20% weaker against the dollar? This country needs to become cost effective, or drop further down the list of economic power. Complaining about a few rocks won't achieve that :-)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites