A prime minister's days are numbered from the moment he takes office - there's a maximum of four years he can serve but he needs to be re-elected after two so there's an automatic renewal notice at two years. It would be nice if in this decade Japan manages to hold on to at least one prime minister for longer than a year.
I've said before, what difference does it make what lifetime Diet member is prime minister (except who to pay the kickbacks to)? Elect one for a ten-year term, install him in a nice mansion near Nagatacho and get on with the business of running the government. He can come out for ceremonial purposes, meeting heads of state, and compose poems during cherry blossom time.
The thing that gets me with all of this, elections cost a lot of money. With all of this calling for resignation and running new elections etc, where is this money coming from? Surely the current batch of politicians can see that Japan needs that money elsewhere for now?
In such days this country needs a strong leader with a good motivation. People who just seek a chance to get promoted themselves will not succeed. I think Kan will stay on.
"People who just seek a chance to get promoted themselves will not succeed. I think Kan will stay on."
It is possible that this disaster may save PM Kan, but Japanese voters should remember what PM Kan's Foreign Policy looked like prior to the Earthquake - serious lack of understanding. 20% voter approval ratings.
Actually Japan's International relationships are more open, trusted and stronger now than they have been for many years.
Helped of course by the current tragedy, but many hard working members have earned the respect of other countries.
Kan, while being a "media fizzler", is no more inept than the countless dummies before him and now. In fact he certainly surpasses most for being honest.
The rabid ldp is worried his good relationships with the international community might thwart their "overthrow" plan, hence the increase in villifying the "devil".
Kan's days were numbered even before he was made PM. Japan appears to currently have a "fix us now" mentality when what has been going wrong has been going on for decades. If the PM can't fix things in six months, the calls for his resignation begin.
To put it in dietary terms, the effects of 20 years of eating just fast food cannot be remedied by 6 months of fasting. You'll die of malnutrition long before you get to six months.
It is going to be bad for Japan if he isn't removed from office soon. PM Kan and former FM Maehara have forsaken the Northern Territories to possible military bases. There are other things coming up, so now is a good time to give the guy a thankful goodbye.
no please no. how do we as a country move forward when we let politics take over.
we need to focus on us, our recovery, our well being.
we need to be stable in government for our country to move on past recent events.
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borscht
A prime minister's days are numbered from the moment he takes office - there's a maximum of four years he can serve but he needs to be re-elected after two so there's an automatic renewal notice at two years. It would be nice if in this decade Japan manages to hold on to at least one prime minister for longer than a year.
I've said before, what difference does it make what lifetime Diet member is prime minister (except who to pay the kickbacks to)? Elect one for a ten-year term, install him in a nice mansion near Nagatacho and get on with the business of running the government. He can come out for ceremonial purposes, meeting heads of state, and compose poems during cherry blossom time.
mrskit
poor Kan and all the armchair cynics
lovejapan21
Yes. on another note, how did koizumi do it??
nath
The thing that gets me with all of this, elections cost a lot of money. With all of this calling for resignation and running new elections etc, where is this money coming from? Surely the current batch of politicians can see that Japan needs that money elsewhere for now?
cactusJack
The revolving door is always...revolving.
GW
A PMs days are always numbered in Japan, gotta give everyone their kick at the can.
littleleon, no need for an election, they just pick another from the party & insert, done, kick out 6mths to a year later, repeat.
PMs are elected in Japan parties are then they pick their own
GW
Sorry PMs ARENT elected.....
apecNetworks
"lovejapan21 at 09:01 AM JST - 25th April
Yes. on another note, how did koizumi do it??"
Former PM Koizumi was what PM Kan isn't.
sojherde
In such days this country needs a strong leader with a good motivation. People who just seek a chance to get promoted themselves will not succeed. I think Kan will stay on.
seesaw2
Did I not see his pic somewhere with the word..coup de tat?
apecNetworks
"People who just seek a chance to get promoted themselves will not succeed. I think Kan will stay on."
It is possible that this disaster may save PM Kan, but Japanese voters should remember what PM Kan's Foreign Policy looked like prior to the Earthquake - serious lack of understanding. 20% voter approval ratings.
browny1
Actually Japan's International relationships are more open, trusted and stronger now than they have been for many years.
Helped of course by the current tragedy, but many hard working members have earned the respect of other countries.
Kan, while being a "media fizzler", is no more inept than the countless dummies before him and now. In fact he certainly surpasses most for being honest.
The rabid ldp is worried his good relationships with the international community might thwart their "overthrow" plan, hence the increase in villifying the "devil".
Fadamor
Kan's days were numbered even before he was made PM. Japan appears to currently have a "fix us now" mentality when what has been going wrong has been going on for decades. If the PM can't fix things in six months, the calls for his resignation begin.
To put it in dietary terms, the effects of 20 years of eating just fast food cannot be remedied by 6 months of fasting. You'll die of malnutrition long before you get to six months.
apecNetworks
It is going to be bad for Japan if he isn't removed from office soon. PM Kan and former FM Maehara have forsaken the Northern Territories to possible military bases. There are other things coming up, so now is a good time to give the guy a thankful goodbye.
WilliB
I think as fas as Japanese PMs go, Kan is doing a fair job.
Certainly, none of the protesters could be expected to any better than he is. Cheap political hay, nothing more.
ZENJI
no please no. how do we as a country move forward when we let politics take over. we need to focus on us, our recovery, our well being. we need to be stable in government for our country to move on past recent events.