Tanaka calls Ishihara 'reckless old man'; Gemba also critical

DPJ ministers telling it exactly the way it is.

None of these guys may be faultless. That said, Ishihara is a reckless old fool.

Ishihara is not only reckless, but is also selfish and short-sighted. By almost single-handedly reigniting the row over the Senkaku islands he is responsible for costing Japanese automakers and other businesses billions of dollars in lost sales and has helped fuel animosity between the two countries. The earlier he retires, the better!!

In my humble opinion, Japan needs some 'reckless old man' like Ishihara as China has been rather reckless themselves. Look at the demos and public riots. China is not a free country like the West so how were those riots including destruction of Japanese-owned properties allowed to take place? Let's say it all together as we all KNOW -the authorities condone and might even have organized some of them. It was disgraceful. Japanese citizens were even beaten in Shanghi. Did any of these kind of disgraceful acts take place in Japan? No. So Japan needs a more cutting-edge politician to tell the Chinese authorities Japan cannot be bullied. This will send a message to those other countries with territorial disputes with China not to give up hope and to press on with their claims.

issa1. who is the bigger looney, the looney or the folks following him? Ishihara is a self-agrandizing, politically naive, sentimentalist, fascist with delusions of grandure. He labors under the illusion that he can bring back a time in Japan's history that never actually existed. He applies romantic notions to the imperial period as if Japan's ambitions for Asia at the time were anything other than misguided militarism doomed to failure. And he looks at the youth of today as if he could rally them into uniforms and send them off to die somewhere, when they seem quite content to spend time and energy on their hair and smart phones instead.

The masses in Tokyo vote for him because he is a celebrity, not because they really support his agenda. Those who do support his agenda are either profiting from it or are equally deluded by impossible ideas about the world.

Now the old sod wants to go out on a high not, most probably by taking Japan to war again. He has to be stopped. No rational country on earth would elect such a fool to power. And NO, I do not owe Ishihara or his wonky buddy Hashimoto any loyalty, nor will I exit Japan where I live legally and contribute a great deal to my community.

What needs to happen, is these foolish right wingers need to be told by society to shut up and go away, before we end up with a new round of militarist idiocy in Japan.

Perhaps Ishihars' recklessness is what is needed to shake up J politics ! :o LOL

Perhaps old, and a maverick without a doubt

At least he might have a chance to make some serious changes with the genro and the dysfunctional bureaucracy and lame politicians

he is recommending less government regulations, will increase competition and perhaps the only guy who could revive the economy

the downsides are obvious, but perhaps worth the risk?

He is 80 yrs old and he still acts like macho 20 yrs old man . Many of his generation has unfulfilled wishes. It is for pre WWII mentality as ultra right wing nationalism with imperialism. They believed that they are superior race as descendants of fearless Samurai warriors. Imperial army had duty to purify the uncivilized louts of neighbors. Japan was a savior of Asia for the beautiful new dawn. He still has a fond memory of old & bloody days of 1938 to 1945.

Ishihara is an idiot and anyone who supports him is also an idiot.

Makiko Tanaka is the daughter of the Japanese ex-PM Kakuei Tanaka... interesting. Kakuei Tanaka was the one who had a talk with China and normalized Japan-China relations. It looks like Ishihara had just undone all of that in a matter of weeks. Ishihara is truly the enemy of Japan's self-interest.

The next Governor of Tokyo...may be a WOMAN.

Ishihara did diss women all the time!

It's a good idea that he resigned. Given the high profile he generated in recent press he most probably will be a liability for Japan 2020 Olympic Bid.

Oh, I see. He's reckless because of the Olympic bid, not because he is trying to move the country closer to war. Just for a moment there I thought someone was talking sense...

This is hopefully the last political gasp of this unpleasant little man.Time to consign him and his outdated nonsense to the rubbish heap.

Japan needs some 'reckless old man' like Ishihara

Heaven forbid Ishihara ever makes back to the national scene, he's an old racist coot who's better days are long, long, long, behind him.

Saying Japan needs him is like saying Germany needed Hitler, or maybe worse.

Ishihara wants to get in the Diet as it might give him immunity from prosecution. His crimes will catch up with him eventually.

Ishihara Shintaro said he wants 'WAR with China'! It was told face to face to the PM! Mr maehara has confirmed his remarks in TV ! Ishihara was backed by the 'Heritage foundaion' a hawkish amerian think tank in washington! A a city's mayor could override the authorities of the central government and he is going to run a party! Sure this is America's conspiracy to run war against china and Japan served as a 'pawn' to carry this task! I pity the Japanese people never wakeup from the danger is upcoming and keep believes the myth that America is Japan's trustworthy protector! Sure Japan is an 'expenedable' in the great game of conflict!

Ishihara was backed by the Heritage foundation, America's war hawks pushing her in the conflict with China! I beg my Japanese friends to wakeup and see what is real!

Okada said: “It’s hard to predict what influence a new political party would have on national politics. He has not yet announced any policies.”

He and his party has no policies but a puppet from the Heritage foundation! If japanese politicians has a common sense of a country's dignity and honour and think of the future Japanese generations! Please step out and stop this 'MAD MAN'! He was a disgrace already being Tokyo mayor for 13 years and leading Japan to danger! Japan a present is no difference like 1930s when the cilivian government was unfunctioning but run by a clique of 'political criminals'!

In my humble opinion, Japan needs some 'reckless old man' like Ishihara as China has been rather reckless themselves.

Like Ishihara, but NOT Ishihara. Preferably not old, or ultra right-wing, or racist, or homophobic, or mysoginist either. Other public servants have to retire when they're 60 or 65, why not politicians?

Other public servants have to retire when they're 60 or 65, why not politicians?

Because politicians here are not "public servants".

@ Shiofuki

Did I use the word reckless. If I did I could not find it. I thought someone was writing sense

I dont think Ishihara shintaro was reckless or wild, instead he was cunning and despicable! ith the backing from the Heritage foundation, he spoken he wants war qith China, even without the Diayoutai/Senkaku disputes, japan under the influences of him is a warmongering nation! China has never spoken the word'war' but Japan did!

I'm so glad Tanaka is back. She's the only one in Japanese politics with balls and calls it how she sees it - which is exactly why Koizumi got rid of her. Little men who get touchy when women show them up. Go Tanaka!

It's just old rivary budding it's head again.

Tanaka's father and Ishihara were heated political rivals in the 70's and 80's. Tanaka placed economy first before principles and Ishihara disliked his materialistic attitude. Tanaka was the one who spear headed relationship normalization with PRC in the 70's.

I wish Tanaka would be PM.

yubaru:Because politicians here are not "public servants".??? where you joking when you made this statement or were you serious. The trouble with politicians that they are "public servants" Elected by the public , to serve the public and paid for by the public,thats the theory. Problem is they don't care about the public.

He is reckless, with millions of people's health, lives, letting the burning of tsunami debris right across Tokyo.

good for Tanaka..one of the few politicians who have the courage to speak out..Mr. Ishihara is Hitler without a mustache

Tanaka's always been intelligent and well-spoken, despite getting the shiv years back, and strictly because she was a strong female leader. I'm glad she's back and telling it as it is. A few points to Gemba as well, and a cookie for Okada, though he could have been a bit more outspoken and done a bit less beating around the bush.

5 billion yen. That's about how much it costs to hold the election for Tokyo governor. Twice as much as Osaka and five times as much as Shizuoka. Ishihara throws in the towel with more than half his term remaining. It's not his money that will be used. He also ignored the voices which asked him to postpone quitting until next summer when the councillor elections will be held, which would have reduced costs significantly. Now Tokyo will form a supplementary budget with money from god knows where.

5 billion yen. That's about how much it costs to hold the election for Tokyo governor. Twice as much as Osaka and five times as much as Shizuoka. Ishihara throws in the towel with more than half his term remaining. It's not his money that will be used.

He's never bothered about throwing away taxpayers' money before.

Well spoke, Gemba-san! He was right on every point. Bravo Tanaka-san! Ganbare Tokyo! Ishihara is gone, the fund should stay for Tokyo's bid.

yubaru:Because politicians here are not "public servants".??? where you joking when you made this statement or were you serious. The trouble with politicians that they are "public servants" Elected by the public , to serve the public and paid for by the public,thats the theory. Problem is they don't care about the public.

I was not joking when I made that statement because while the person I quoted and you as well it seems, believe in the theory and dictionary definition of a "public servant" Japanese politicians failed to read the same dictionary.

They are definitely not public servants as you noted as well, and as I see it they don't look at themselves in the same light either. The same can be said for all Japanese public employees, elected or otherwise. It's just a job to them, and their arrogance is beyond belief.

That's the best she can do? "Reckless old man"? How about Reckless insensitive loud-mouth senseless old fart. Now that suits him better.

They are definitely not public servants as you noted as well, and as I see it they don't look at themselves in the same light either. The same can be said for all Japanese public employees, elected or otherwise. It's just a job to them, and their arrogance is beyond belief.

A fair point. Well, let me re-phrase what I said. Unelected public sector employees have to retire when they're around 60, before they get too old and even more useless. Why not elected public sector employees like Diet members?

Makiko Tanaka a steller example of what is wrong with the inept DPJ.

Only reason she was not convicted of crimes was because of who her father was and not because she was innocent. She proved the that the apple does not fall far from the corrupt tree, like father like daughter.

She also has very close ties with the corrupt Communist in Peking and can not be trusted to look after the best interest of Japan. With the right amount of cash, she would give the PRC a backdoor into Japan. She has a tainted past as a politician who supports the PRC over her own nation.

smithinjapanOct. 28, 2012 - 08:19PM JST Tanaka's always been intelligent and well-spoken, despite getting the shiv years back, and strictly because she was a strong female leader.

Her father was corrupt and so is she that is why her words truely mean very little.

A fair point. Well, let me re-phrase what I said. Unelected public sector employees have to retire when they're around 60, before they get too old and even more useless. Why not elected public sector employees like Diet members

I do believe it is because the positions are not considered full time and fall under a different bracket. For example there are many public sector employee's like teachers for example, who sometimes get hired as contracted employee's after their mandatory retirement.

There is no age limitation for elected officials.

tmarieOct. 28, 2012 - 04:38PM JST I'm so glad Tanaka is back. She's the only one in Japanese politics with balls and calls it how she sees it - which is exactly why Koizumi got rid of her. Little men who get touchy when women show them up. Go Tanaka!

No he got rid of her because she was an ambitious lose cannon that tried and highjack the party to her whims.

She was lucky that she had powerful friends when she was brought up on chrages, becuase if she did not have them she would have served time.

YongYangOct. 28, 2012 - 06:57PM JST He is reckless, with millions of people's health, lives, letting the burning of tsunami debris right across Tokyo.

It was either burn it or let it sit there, either way he would have been damned for it.

Low level radiation does not bother me. you get more putting a PC on your lap, standing in front of a microwave, going to the beach, or just walking in a park.

If you want to be safe then turn off all electrical equipment/appliances and cover yourself in 40 weight oil. You'll be fine then.

God, more from the "at least he's different!" crowd. Ishihara is a dangerous nationalist. And if you're a foreigner in Japan advocating for him, you might not like what happens. If he doesn't have China to scapegoat, who do you think he'll come after next?

Headline suggestion: "Crazy Middle Aged Political Heiress Calls Reckless Old Man 'Reckless Old Man'".

Hey, the guy is 80 years old! In 2020, he'd be 88 years old!

Maybe he isn't sure he'd survive that long?

Resigning now and leaving the position open for a younger candidate isn't being reckless, is it?

To me, it's a responsible act.

Resigning now and leaving the position open for a younger candidate isn't being reckless, is it?

To me, it's a responsible act.

Lotus do you realize why he is resigning? He isn't resigning to give Tokyo up to another candidate, he is resigning because in the near future there is going to be an election for national government and it is his intention to run again for the national parliament and start a new nationalistic party in the process too.

This guy is dangerous.

An entrepreneur is someone who uses somebody else's money to make himself rich.

A Nationalist is someone who uses other people's lives to make himself rich.

We should all give a big round of applause to Ishihara for his masterful performance in both areas !

Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Makiko Tanaka has called outgoing Tokyo Gov Shintaro Ishihara a “wild, reckless old man.”

WROM. She said it very clearly. Like father, like daughter. You don't want to mess with her especially you're working as MEXT bureau.

@JoeBigs: Guess you haven't been reading:

http://www.city.setagaya.lg.jp/kurashi/104/140/1821/d00037521.html