politics

Abe's troubles may not end despite resignations of two ministers

35 Comments
By Linda Sieg

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Time for a reappearance of old tummy troubles, I think. Then he can get out of the way before the wheels really fall off this shambles of a government, leaving someone else to pick up the pieces.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Japan gets the best politicians that money can buy...

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Looks like the media is ramping up the "poor Abe, his ministers' failings caused him to honorably resign" strategy which will see a new PM in office next year... but with Abe's catastrophic sales tax rise, planned inflation, and devaluation of the yen perfectly intact, as the LDP wants. Only the compliant newspaperswill be saying "it wasn't fair to Abe; he never had a chance to finish what he started" instead of "these charlatans stabbed us in the back", which is what anyone in Japan with savings in the bank should be thinking.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Time for Abe to step down.

He's caused quite enough damage.

And let's hope his replacement actually represents the people, not just the 1%.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

LDP have dominated pretty much since WW2 if not before, it's their birthright to rule. Nepotism, Corruption and an attitude of complete indifference towards the public are rife. Their shrinking gene pool might be a cause.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Time for Abe to step down.

As LDP governments basically just do what Yuko Obuchi's political organisation was doing but on a grander scale (for theatre tickets read public works projects) I think it's time they all stepped down.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I love how Matsushima is arguing over what constitutes an 'uchiwa' and denying any wrong-doing when it's quite clear she broke the law. And look at all these other rats on the sinking S.S. Abe scramble to pay back misused funds and claim ignorance despite repaying the money!

"Domestic media are also reminding readers that Abe’s first 2006-2007 term as premier was plagued by serial resignations that eroded his support..."

Bet he's wishing that secrecy law had kicked in already!

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Abe's troubles have yet to even begin. His "reforms" of the past two years have not halted Japan's downwards slide. What's worse, once the full effects begin to be felt, this slide will be accellerated. "Abenomics" appears to have been nothing but a fleecing of the taxpayers for the benefit of politicians and their cronies.

GDP growth was supposed to hit 2% this year, but is currently at -7%. Government economists expect a "rebound" in the second half of the year, how much you want to bet that this rebound doesn't occur? If there is megatove growth for FY 2014, we probably won't see Abe again after 2015.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

smithinjapan,

Bet he's wishing that secrecy law had kicked in already!

Exactly right!

Bad timing on that one!

1 ( +6 / -5 )

The economy is doing fine, slowly recovering after having been subjected to an absurd sub-100 yen/$ rate for way too long.

I meet a lot of small business owners, some directly affected by the weak yen but also those with no exposure and across the board they say that things are looking positive.

If i were a betting man, I would say the paltry 2% increase on the consumption tax is totally in the bag.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

ozellis

The economy is doing fine, slowly recovering after having been subjected to an absurd sub-100 yen/$ rate for way too long.

I meet a lot of small business owners, some directly affected by the weak yen but also those with no exposure and across the board they say that things are looking positive.

Correct, good to see others also understand the truth and actually have some idea of reality.

Imagine how bad things would have been if Abe hadn't of acted when and how he did, the place had been mired in a economic swamp since the 08 crash, at least now things have started to move some what.

The English teacher economists are not in touch with the real business world, do they trade, have contact on a daily basis with other companies who produce, manufacture , distribute or supply ?

NO. they sit at a desk or in front of a class and the only economy they come across is at the convenience store or the local Hub.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It seems to me the opposition party is more occupied with destabilizing the government than being a part in governing this country and serving the 'kokumin no minasan'.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I meet a lot of small business owners, some directly affected by the weak yen but also those with no exposure and across the board they say that things are looking positive.

Do they say that? That's nice. Are they raising wages and hiring new full-time employees as well?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

The English teacher economists are not in touch with the real business world, do they trade, have contact on a daily basis with other companies who produce, manufacture , distribute or supply ?

I own a trading company, my office is in Nihonbashi, across from the BOJ. My father owns five Japanese companies, and this week I had lunch with the chairman of one of Japan's largest conglomerates. I am not positive about the Japanese economy, my father is not positive, and my friend the chairman looked this week like he had eaten a raw porcupine for lunch.

If things are so rosy, and the economy is recovering, then why is the population falling through the floor? Why has the government had to borrow 1000 trillion yen to keep the country moving? Why are 10% of all buildings in Tokyo vacant? Why did 70% of Japanese companies report a loss last year (which was a good year compared to the previous four years)?

I am quite familiar with the business world, and it helps that I have a degree in economics. I am certainly not an "Englsh teacher economist". I struggle each week to make deals to keep things going, to keep dollars coming into my company, with which I pay my suppliers and overhead. The economy isn't as bad as most people think, it is twice that bad.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

The English teacher economists are not in touch with the real business world, do they trade, have contact on a daily basis with other companies who produce, manufacture , distribute or supply ?

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

It is strange that English teachers and Economist are not in touch with real business. Don'y they eat food after they bought food in grocery store? Don;t they walk shopping center? Don't many corporations use them as accountants? Instead of broken English speaking Japanese, many real world organizations hire English speaking people for trade negotiatioms in real business. .

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Women ministers get accused on Uchiwa distribution in Japan;s summer and another one had to resign for her office's accounting record problem. I know all Diet memberss would stop to let their office keep cough drrops and water jhars Witch hunts now expanded to anyone who are elected. It is already against Japanese electiom law that corporations can not donate anything to any politicians. Time to check DPJ and CPJ members political funds bookkeeping.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@ozellis

The economy is doing fine, slowly recovering after having been subjected to an absurd sub-100 yen/$ rate for way too long.

Here is something that can help you:

http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/07/23/denial-why-people-dont-get-treatment-for-anxiety/

You are welcome.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Agriculture Minister: He is famous on yelling at speaker at meetings. the words a majority of Kapanese never used in their life beside Kozou! Damare ! Omae, etc.

JCP wrote in kkahata thet he gets donation (illegal) from Sara-kin Associations. (loan shark Assoc)

2011 aug an animal corporation got bankrupted. the company donated 1250000 yen since 2006 to 201o donate. His eldest son was hired as an adviser.so company gave donation to get his help Many more.'

He support Japanse agriculture vigorousely but he has no class in his yelling against meeting speakers.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Many Japanese politicians (a generally colorless lot) don' t really know where to draw the line.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Amother Today Harvard blue blood politician - not all too mzny and too big money each.

Shiozaki ..tdau and Harvard, too.

Donation – Akahata Political Organizayion of loan shark donated Party ticket sales fees, he received

Office expenses: 2007/7/20、2005に13300000 yen how used is not clear 21000000 yen use monthly rent 100000 (annual 2400000 yen phone lease etc 5300000 but can not find how left over 13300000 are used

Politica; fund Party 2007/4 and 2007/7 made 38000000 yen

He lets his office empkoyees to spend money as they wished, There are illegal donation problem such as eel kabayaki business donation related to anti monopoly law but I will skip as too big money each.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Time to send "foot in mouth" and "apple polisher to the Americans" packing. What we know is DPJ and LPJ have both failed Japan. Time to give the SDP a chance to turn around Japan's foreign relations and end the military occupation of Japan. Mostly to stop the militarization of Japan and return to the concept of a self defense force. Because of our past it is not proper for Japan to use military force or the threat of military force.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Abe's troubles may not end despite resignations of two ministers

They can't beat him in an election, so they go around trying to find any dirt on members of his cabinet. But if the DPJ and it's ally the CPJ aren't careful they too may find themselves in hot water.

Everyone in politics has dirty laundry and no one wants to stir the waters to hard because their own dirt might get exposed. And ladies and gents the DPJ and the CPJ are really stirring that water!

Expect a bit of payback in the coming weeks and when that payback starts to bear fruit the DPJ and CPJ will get quiet.

YuriOtaniOct. 23, 2014 - 03:55AM JST Time to give the SDP a chance to turn around Japan's foreign relations and end the military occupation of Japan.

That is an impossibility, the SDP has as much chance as winning a landslide victory in an election as a third party has at winning the Presidency in the US.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Nothing like an unstable administration to boost public trust....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The LDP is in dilemma now. They do not have a politician who can replace Abe. Well, Aso is going to try but if Aso is to replace Abe, it is sure LDP will lose majority of Japanese women voters. Aso has been lecturing the wrorst mistake Japan did in history was Japan gave voting right to women over and over. I think everone knows his big mouth. He is more politically blue blooded than Abe. He is a direct descendent of Toshimichi Okubo. Maybe LDP is thinking it was a big mistake Abe accepted resignation of Yumo and Midori/ Even wealthy Aso has donation party scandal. Large amount.

his mother Kazuko Asō was Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida's daughter. Taro is also a great-great-grandson of Ōkubo Toshimichi, and his wife, Chikako is the third daughter of Prime Minister Zenkō Suzuki. His younger sister, Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, is cousin-in-law of Emperor Akihito.

One thing, he is not a China hater.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sangetsu03

If things are so rosy, and the economy is recovering, then why is the population falling through the floor? Why has the government had to borrow 1000 trillion yen to keep the country moving? Why are 10% of all buildings in Tokyo vacant? Why did 70% of Japanese companies report a loss last year (which was a good year compared to the previous four years)?

Population fall has nothing to do with abe and the economy . Population has been declining for decades.

Govt had to borrow 1,000 trillion yen because the US destroyed the world economies with its cheating lying bankers, and then printed trillions of $ to keep their money go round spinning.

10% of buildings in Tokyo vacant, your info is wrong. Or maybe there is too many office buildings built. Or has the vacancy rate dropped from higher levels down to 10%?

70% of companies reported a loss is not unusual, many companies do not show profits for tax reasons, my own company every year try's to show no or little profit to avoid giving a share of profit to the govt.

We use the profit in such away to reduce tax burden.

It matters not what you type here as those who know the truth know the economy is not anywhere near as bad as it was at the end of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2013, things have improved a lot. if it has not for you then you your father and your best friend are doing something wrong and it is not the economy that is damaging your business but your management."

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

They can't beat him in an election...

Right, there isn't one scheduled for another two or so years and by that time the LDP backroom boys will have forced him out anyway.

...so they go around trying to find any dirt on members of his cabinet.

Hardly surprising, given that there seems to be so much dirt to be found.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Population fall has nothing to do with abe and the economy . Population has been declining for decades.

No it hasn't. In Japan it hasn't even been declining for a decade, and world-wide I don't believe population has ever declined. We just hit 7 billion, and we're still rising.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Strangerland

world-wide I don't believe population has ever declined.

From Wikipedia:

"From 1347 to 1351, the Black Death, a massive and deadly pandemic originating in China, spread along the Silk Road and swept through Asia, Europe and Africa. It may have reduced the world's population from 450 million to between 350 and 375 million."

I only mention it because of the potentially grave threat from ebola.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I stand partially corrected.

But my point about population not being in decline 'for decades' still stands.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Strangerland we are talking about Japans population here only, not the worlds population.

Japans population has been in decline for over 7 years but the birth rate has been in decline a lot longer which is what I meant to actually refer to. So you are partly right

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

So you are partly right

Well no, I'm entirely right. I was correctly pointing out that what you had said was incorrect, and it was. Your revision, that you were referring to birth rate in decline for decades, is correct.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

you were referring to birth rate in decline for decades, is correct.

The Japan's birth rate is not in decline. It is edging up in recent years in a row.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Nope they won't end....

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29735264

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Abe accepted female Ministers' resignations right after he cane home, No one suggested him to wait for a couple days when they know everybody else had bigger political find scandals intact behind them. This is Aso's chance to drop Abe. He is acting now. The way Obuchi was painted, her sin was she is a daughter of late PM. Midori? She had two combinations of sins. Scarf violations and Uchiwas distribution. Both of them did not accept so many million yens illegal donations to be safe in their positions,

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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