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Their claims are based on their self-centered and extremely egoistic thinking that they don't want to go to war. We can blame postwar education for such widespread selfish individualism.

48 Comments

Takaya Muto, 36, an LDP House of Representatives legislator, criticizing university students who are protesting against the controversial security-related bills. (Mainichi Shimbun)

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What's the original Japanese or where is the whole quote?

All the same, it kind of sinks the Chinese propaganda that Japanese are all war crazy fascists ready to start WWIII.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Mr Takaya Muto needs to take the first step by joining the SDF and doing several years of overseas duty......

14 ( +15 / -1 )

If this doesn't prove that the LDP wants the right to go to war, nothing does. This guy just exposed their ulterior motives.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

The very definition of fascism.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

I support the current limited security legislation because I believe it is in Japan's best interests. But I respect and acknowledge those who have a differing view and argue that 70 years of peace provides ample evidence that the change is not needed.

A politician criticizing those who are freely expressing their views as guaranteed under the constitution needs to resign - but this type of thinking is reflective of the closed, cloistered world of Japan's politics - where politicians, irrespective of what party or faction, are divorced from everyday citizens and the reality of everyday life.........

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Whoa. Here we go. And some people still don't think Abe's push towards a more militarized Japan is a harbinger of very bad things to come?

Here's a shot straight across the bow of democracy in Japan, brought to us by this wet-behind-the-ears dimwit drunk on the nationalistic pap that Abe and his ilk continue to peddle.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

'All the same, it kind of sinks the Chinese propaganda that Japanese are all war crazy fascists ready to start WWIII.'

I think the CCP and Chinese people are more interested in what those in power in Japan think. So am I. So should everyone.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I think many of you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

It's 'self-centred and extremely egotistic' to not want to go off and kill innocent civilians in a foreign land? How did this morally-challenged warmonger get elected?

9 ( +9 / -0 )

It was from Twitter, so here for everybody's edification:

SEALDsという学生集団が自由と民主主義のために行動すると言って、国会前でマイクを持ち演説をしてるが、彼ら彼女らの主張は「だって戦争に行きたくないじゃん」という自分中心、極端な利己的考えに基づく。利己的個人主義がここまで蔓延したのは戦後教育のせいだろうと思うが、非常に残念だ。

https://twitter.com/takaya_mutou/status/626788645379280896

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I think many of you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

When a young, career-minded, up-and-coming politician for the ruling political party directly confronts not only the constitutionally protected right to protest, but also assails the far more important legal protection of free thought, by A) publicly insulting protestors' political stance as selfish and egoistic, B) criticizing specifically the post-war education system (i.e., the pre-war education system centered around complete obedience to the emperor and state is preferable.), and C) pointedly indicting a cornerstone of liberal democracy, namely the right to self-determination, then no, I most certainly don't see this as any sort of "molehill." Anyone with even a passing familiarity with the rise of global fascism in the 1920s would be able to see this.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Muto obviously yearns for a more selfless generation of youth, like Japan's Great Generation of the 1930s-40s who did not protest against the government but instead unhesitatingly fought and died all across the Japanese empire. Ah, the good old days.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

If they want their war, let them go and 'duke it out' in a boxing ring.....sending someone else's child to die for your own cause seems to be nothing short of.....dictatorial!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Please, Mr. muto, volunteer to die for your country straight away. Put your money where your mouth is. Typical politician.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Guys...I think I figured out who 'Tina Watanabe' is...

12 ( +16 / -4 )

Takaya Muto, 36 has thrown almost all his toys out the pram, proceeding to kick them around the Diet building because SEALDs (Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy-s), and T-ns Sowl (Teens stand up to oppose war law) have been carrying out regular protests, rallying and marching in front of Tokyo’s trendy Shibuya shopping district, under his nose in the Diet, punctuated with loud and heated chanting right outside Abe san office.

SEALDs need guidance to structure a NGO, form a political lobby group and begin the process of evolving into to full on political party. To grow SEALDs will need to gain access to funding, keeping an eye firmly fixed on the political funds control law.

Takaya Muto, 36 is easy rattled, and politically venerable, with the achingly familiar pontificating self righteous right wing disdain for fundamental human rights rooted in Article 13. Up to date the 'youth' vote has remained relatively untapped. However the potential to be a political game changer especially considering the imminent lowering of the voting age to 18 and the mid 2016 Upper House elections is obvious.

Has Muto, venting his spleen on Twitter, inadvertently kicked a proverbial political hornets' nest?

May I humbly suggest to SEALDs to consider bending the ears and relentless lobbying Muto’s superior, LDP Secretary-General Sadakazu Tanigaki, for Muto public shaming.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

This is what you get when politicians start thinking that people exist to serve the state rather than the state existing to serve the people.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

[T-ns SOWL 戦争法案に反対する高校生渋谷デモ 20150802

Be warned Muto san, mighty oaks from little acorns grow......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1M2_WB34WA

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This comment shows were true selfishness lies: expecting young people to die for the State.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The troubling thing is we have heard this garbage word for word before. Muto is a parrot repeating the LDP party line. Welcome to the road to war.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Well Reckless, keeping in mind respectfully to Muto position as an elected MP, I'm inclined to suggest that Muto is the political equivalent to torikabuto.

'Oaks from acorns' is endearingly witnessing high school students openly voicing their political opinions. Inspirational in respect that the next generation of politicians need not be 'shoehorned' from current political establishment via birth right.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Their claims are based on their self-centered and extremely egoistic thinking that they don't want to go to war. We can blame postwar education for such widespread selfish individualism.

Parroting what Dear Leader says in private, no doubt.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

In fact, the revision bill includes omitting the word "individual" from the constitution. Abe administration doesn't even conceal the hostility against the constitution and basic human rights. Not surprisingly for Aso's character (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm5FqSG_FDY), He told that you must consider the standpoints of the other members of the LDP. Tell what you actually think AFTER we passed the bill, which will suffice. It's high time for Japanese voters to make an educated guess that they are probably thinking in this way during their elections. They don't regard the people as individuals or even human-beings.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

As gaffes go, this one is pretty damning. Hopefully voters are listening.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I can guarantee you that the opposition to Abe is being voiced much more sensibly and eloquently that the "datte sensou ikutanai jan!" AKB type kiddie speech he is using to suggest that students are pathetic.

Making stuff up and playing the man, not the ball. The mark of inept politicians. The only question is whether voters are stupid enough to believe it. Maybe some of the ones in inaka who don't get to meet many young people are.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

There is nothing wrong with war. It is part of the human way.

There is everything wrong with war.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

If, as has been said, war is foreign policy by other means, given the lack of tact and diplomatic skill many Japanese pols demonstrate, we might better prepare ourselves...as should those pols who would consider involving Japan in a confrontation with, say, a regional power that has more soldiers under arms than Japan has male citizens under the age of 30...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

There is nothing wrong with war. It is part of the human way.

Interestingly, the exact opposite might be true. Many anthropologists believe that warfare was probably quite rare throughout most of human history. War only becomes commonplace once humans take up agriculture and start building permanent settlements (which is relatively recently).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Thus follows, there must be something wrong with the (current) human way. I guess circumstances could be part of a moral standpoint for or against war. Consider this: Its absolutely wrong to start a war unless it is to stop an aggressors attacks on someone else.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

There is nothing wrong with war. It is part of the human way.

Said by what appears to be a Japanese citizen just after the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima ...........OK then

1 ( +1 / -0 )

My god... get this guy sacked now. He sounds like a throwback to the war... really at odds with the vast majority of Japanese I imagine.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

His tone reminds me of George Bush: "Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists."

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Their claims are based on their self-centered and extremely egoistic thinking that they don't want to go to war."

Ah, yes. Spoken like a true politician who has never seen nor experienced war, and never will, but is always more than willing to send today's youth who didn't make the mess to fight for him.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I absolutely love how those "egoistic" people think. War is waged by politicians and if they want to win it, let them go alone, why millions of ppl has to die, because two people from different countries can't agree about something. Same with those islands which Asian countries proclaim to be theirs - common citizen doesn't give a shit about it, so just leave this playground. I would never go to war unless opponent was aliens (but then we wouldn't stand a chance anyway). Pawns killing pawns, there's nothing more stupid than war.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Encouraging to read such a quote from a younger MP. Not all seems lost with Japan's security policy.

Whether he would be ready to stand by the consequences of his words... that is another matter.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In order for humans to move forward, there not only must, but there will be wars. It is the reality of things. So, study hard and not be canon fodder. I am from NY for those of you not in the know. Most wakateru

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

As long as we are humans there is going to be wars.... The idea of "no war and no involvement" is noble but unrealistic.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

While there will always be war... there is no way we should welcome or rejoice in it. As for studying hard to avoid being canon fodder - that doesn't work. If there's a war and you get called up it doesn't matter if you're as bright as Enstein or as thick as mince... you'll still be sent to the front to add to the meat grinder of war.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In order for humans to move forward, there not only must, but there will be wars.

Will be, yes. Must be, no.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

'My god... get this guy sacked now. He sounds like a throwback to the war... really at odds with the vast majority of Japanese I imagine'

Very probably, but the most pressing concern should be if he is at odds with the vast majority of the LDP.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I can not understand the phrase go to war. using the word war is itself an extremist approach.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Their claims are based on their self-centered and extremely egoistic thinking that they don't want to go to war. We can blame postwar education for such widespread selfish individualism.

Now that is the epitome of selfishness right there. That level of grandeur. That must be the same state of mind for every members in LDP.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

selfish individualism

It's the fundamental essence of democracy, the very institution that allowed Muto to get his current lawmaker job.

Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die." - Herbert Hoover

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I kind of agree with him. Seeing how pathetic elements of Japan have become, these ridiculous grass eating males for example, I see a Japan getting weaker to the point where it will be endlessly bullied by China.

Conscription would be good for Japan. Some of these pathetic excuses for men will be hardened up.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

"Their (ie any politician in any country on any continent) claims are based on their self-centered and extremely egoistic thinking that they don't want to go to war. We can blame postwar education for such widespread selfish individualism."

-parenthetical content added. What a brilliant quote when the pronoun is redefined!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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