Noda hints at general election in November, but can he wait?

By Linda Sieg

Politics Aug. 23, 2012 - 03:00PM JST ( 19 )

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19 Comments

5

yasukuniAug. 23, 2012 - 07:23AM JST

Well it's about time we had a new Prime Minister. We've had the same one for a pretty long time now.
-5

DaijobootsAug. 23, 2012 - 07:30AM JST

Noda's push to bring the tax to 10% by 2015 was billed as a test of Japan's resolve to tackle its snowballing debt that tops two years' worth of its economic output, a record among industrialized nations

This is a government killer right here but they had the balls to go through with it. A lot of people will selfishly vote against the current government but they will achieve nothing especially with relation to whatever cause it is they wish to elevate to what they think is the most important thing for the country as a whole, when in reality it is nothing more than the most important thing for themselves.

I put 1,000 big ones on Yoda and the DPJ winning.
0

semperfiAug. 23, 2012 - 08:28AM JST

Whether they call an election or not - nothing will change in Japan. ......... ...................... The LDP is no shining light either- after 60 years in power, they enginneered Japans problems - the Democratic party made it worse.
0

issa1Aug. 23, 2012 - 08:45AM JST

I'm rooting for dpj take a beating at the polls. The Japanese will not be fooled a second time.
3

Michael CraigAug. 23, 2012 - 09:12AM JST

I'd rather the Japanese Communist Party win. They care more for PEOPLE than PROFIT.
2

fdsAug. 23, 2012 - 09:19AM JST

if he calls a general election it will destroy the DPJ and paralyze japanese politics...oh wait....they were already paralyzed. professional politicians only want to get elected and the way to get elected is to pay your constituents and since you can't tax them, you borrow the money from them through the back door by selling bonds paying almost no interest to your cronies controlling pension funds who got their jobs by amakudari. until the people get pissed off, nothing will change. in this case, its too bad that japanese people are so patient.
-2

DogAug. 23, 2012 - 09:56AM JST

semperfiAug. 23, 2012 - 08:28AM JST

Whether they call an election or not - nothing will change in Japan. ......... ...................... The LDP is no shining light either- after 60 years in power, they enginneered Japans problems - the Democratic party made it worse

. Disagree, these are probably going to be the most defining elections in modern Japan since the 1960 elections that set Japan on the path of doubling income over a decade.

Unfortunately they will be important for the swing to the nationalistic right bloc, led by Hashimoto and blinky Ishihara.

I find it quite shocking the number of young japanese in their 20s who see Hashimoto as Japan's saviour and of course the old bags can be sure to support Ishihara.

Troubled times ahead for japan and the rest of Asia.
0

Setsuna HenryAug. 23, 2012 - 10:42AM JST

I want to see who will be a new Prime Minister.
3

zichiAug. 23, 2012 - 11:00AM JST

Looks like the DPJ are gearing up to run on a campaign ticket of "ending nuclear energy". They've used up all the others?
2

gogogoAug. 23, 2012 - 11:46AM JST

Wonder what DPJ will be campaigning with, all the problems of Japan are because of them.
0

fdsAug. 23, 2012 - 12:06PM JST

all the problems of Japan are because of them

i wouldn't say that, what they inherited from the LDP wasn't so hot to start out with.
0

cracaphatAug. 23, 2012 - 12:15PM JST

I read on the other JT site that Abe was looking to make a comeback and take over from Tanigaki.
-6

DaijobootsAug. 23, 2012 - 12:41PM JST

Looks like the DPJ are gearing up to run on a campaign ticket of "ending nuclear energy"

Does it? I don't see anything about an end to the use of nuclear energy.
2

ScroteAug. 23, 2012 - 01:24PM JST

There can be no election until the allocation of seats has been altered, otherwise any election will be unconstitutional. Strangely, despite their constant calling for elections, the LDP weasels refuse to cooperate in drawing up the legislation to alter constituency boundaries.

I also read about the hopeless Abe trying to make a comeback. I wonder if people will remember what a useless, right wing lunatic he was/is? According to the polls the "Japanese people" want a change, yet it wouldn't surprise me if they elected much the same old bunch of crooks and fools as usual.
0

SerranoAug. 23, 2012 - 01:34PM JST

"I'm rooting for the DPJ to take a beating, the Japanese will not be fooled a second time"

I'm afraid the Japanese are fooled every time.

Well, I hope they at least vote in politicians who will repeal the stupid consumption tax hike.
0

lostrune2Aug. 23, 2012 - 06:54PM JST

Yeah, same time as the US election!
-4

DaijobootsAug. 24, 2012 - 12:37AM JST

I'm afraid the Japanese are fooled every time.

The Japanese, all of whom think and act alike.

I hope they at least vote in politicians who will repeal the stupid consumption tax hike.

Why is it "stupid"? It's only another 6 yen on a McDonalds cheeseburger. You do realise that debt is more than 200 percent of GDP, and that both the incumbent government and main opposition agreed to the "stupid" hike, don't you?
0

TriumvereAug. 24, 2012 - 06:16AM JST

Why is it "stupid"? It's only another 6 yen on a McDonalds cheeseburger. You do realise that debt is more than 200 percent of GDP, and that both the incumbent government and main opposition agreed to the "stupid" hike, don't you?

It is "stupid" because, as a general consumption tax it will depress consumption and further imperil the economy. It will also hit the poor, to whom mandatory expenditures represent a greater proportion of their spending, disproportionately hard. Better, in my opinion, to raise income taxes or high end consumption taxes, like VAT.
0

Michael CraigAug. 24, 2012 - 11:25AM JST

A Japan under a Prime Minister Toru Hashimoto or Shintaro Ishihara...is potential CANNON FODDER!