Who would be the best U.S. president from Japan's perspective?

Saturday 26th July, 02:56 PM JST

Latest 15 of 39 Total Comments Show All

helloklitty at 07:32 AM JST - 29th July

Backing the surge in Iraq, right as it was, may have cost McCain the election.

As far as not trusting Obama, here's some proof:

• "As we speak, cars in Boston and factories in Beijing are melting the ice caps in the Arctic . . ."--Barack Obama, Berlin, July 24, 2008

• "New data from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute shows that there is more ice than normal in the Arctic waters north of the Svalbard archipelago. In most years, there are open waters in the area north of the archipelago in July month. Studies from this year however show that the area is covered by ice, the Meteorological Institute writes in a press release."--Barents Observer (Kirkenes, Norway), July 24
Beelzebub at 09:59 AM JST - 29th July

By next January, Bush will have left the US, and the world, in such a sorry state that the next president will have to spend most, if not all, of his term just trying to undo the mess. And he probably won't succeed.
FairandBalanced at 10:06 AM JST - 29th July

Beelzebub, Heck, you`ve been watching too much liberal media.

Try a more fair and balanced news channel.

The world is in great shape, due to the brave policies of GW. McCain will continue in this vein, and the US shall continue to prosper, and the world will be one of freedom.

Way to go McCain, America`s most famous war hero!!!
sabiwabi at 10:48 AM JST - 29th July

Mr. McCain is more mature and experienced in worldly decisions.

McCain is old and not very healthy. In most jobs, he would have long retired by now. As for experience, yes, he has crashed more fighter jets (5?) than most people.
Altria at 11:01 AM JST - 29th July

For trade: McCain For not coercing Japan into funding/participating in wars: Obama For having a town in Japan with the same name complete with a troupe of Hawaiian dancers: Obama
undecidedbout08 at 11:02 AM JST - 29th July

and the world, in such a sorry state that the next president will have to spend most, if not all, of his term just trying to undo the mess.

So as America goes so goes the entire world? That's a comfort.

I was feeling guilty about the 5% world population/but using 25% of its resources business...

Moderator: Back on topic please.
JoeBigs at 11:47 AM JST - 29th July

Mr. McCain is more mature and experienced in worldly decisions.

Now that is a good one, but I must agree, good Old Mc is really Mature. Hell he is soooo mature he knew Lincoln personally! LOL

How old is Good Old Mc? Dont ask him he does not remember! LOL

Ask Good Old Mc to multiply 50 times 2, he will just look at you like a deer in the headlights.......LOL

Ask Old Mc to spell ECONOMY...LOL He does not know how to cause he does not understand it!LOL

Yeah, hey he has one characteristic that reminds me of Reagan....He is darn old! LOL
zidane_head at 03:53 PM JST - 29th July

why is there only two options?
Noripinhead at 06:57 PM JST - 29th July

I'm surprised that so many people here voted for Obama. I mean, expats tend to be more liberal, but wow, he's leading by half. Obama's problem is the same as McCain's: his age. Only he's too young. But wait till the September surprise is pulled out of the bag by the McCain camp--everyone knows the media has a tendency to turn on their own creations. The liberal press made Obama, they can just as easily break him.
kinniku at 07:01 PM JST - 29th July

I think "Kitty-chan" would probably be the best US president from the perspective of many Japanese people. However, I don't believe a Kitty-chan can become US president because she was born in Japan. So, I vote for Mickey Mouse.
Kijimuna at 01:52 PM JST - 1st August

Posters appear to have ignored the "for Japan" part of the question. Without comment on my own preferences, the answer for Japan is clearly John McCain. This is not to say that the Japanese government and people are not totally gaga over the prospect of America's first black president. But from day two, which presidency would be best for Japan?

For folks who can remember the 1990s, democrats are stiffer on trade, less likely to help Japan boost its international prestige and less likely to share defense information and technology with the Japanese. An Obama presidency increases questions and volatility over how the US will handle its macroeconomic policy and trade with China, relations with North Korea and others. McCain is much more likely to be predictable, and to place Japan at the center of US policy to Asia. It's not the sexy prediction to make, but it happens to be unimpeachable.
usaexpat at 11:29 PM JST - 1st August

The question did state the "best president from Japan's perspective" so I think the answer has to be McCain. He is more likely to maintain the current large number of troops in Japan and unlikely to shake up the status quo. I also tend to believe that McCain will favor old alliances more than Obama would. I would say that in general Japan would favor a republican administration with Clinton being the past exception.
zurcronium at 11:35 PM JST - 1st August

mccain will just continue the bush policies in Asia, he wont come up with anything new. So Japan will stay a dependent client of the US for more years.

Just look at the last eight years for bush failures in Asia, notably Korea. That is what McCain will continue with question.
usaexpat at 12:15 AM JST - 2nd August

zurc the only way that Japan will not be a client state of America is if they amend article 9. Japan as it is today cannot be independent because it doesn't have a full military.
Kijimuna at 12:11 PM JST - 5th August

Anyone who thinks Japan's last 8 years in its relationship with America does not understand how much ground they gained bilaterally after Clinton.