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© 2012 AFP94-year-old candidate loses funeral fund election deposit
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© 2012 AFP
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some14some
unfortunately it happened what i had feared the most and scored the most (downward thumbs).
nath
What a great quote.
Hiroicci
The only choice left for him - not to die, at least, for a while.
"I don’t care if I die in the forest near Mount Fuji and just turn into soil" - Great quote. At his age, he has no illusion about life and death.
“I ran in the election to prove my point."
Respect, great granddad!!!
nath
Nothing but respect.
Okinawamike
That's $35,000, just as a deposit to be planted. Plus the additional cost.
Yes, forest near Mt Fuji is looking better all the time.
What a racket.
combinibento
People warned him he'd be digging his own grave by running...
ebisen
Reckless old man... He does not even realize that in our modern society, you are not allowed to turn into soil near Mount Fuji, but he wanted to become a leader. I wonder what kind of point he wanted to make?
FightingViking
If those who comprised his 2,169 ballots just gave 1 000 yen each, he could still have his funeral ! (I guess that's what is meant by "Samurai spirit"...)
hereforever
JT, if possible please post this brave man's address, I as well as many others would like to send him some money this new year to replenish his funeral funds. We feel for you Mr. Kawashima.
Yubaru
Reckless? Hmmm...I wonder. What right does anyone have to tell another person on how they should use their own money? He made a calculated choice knowing fully well what would happen if he did not succeed.
I think most people would applaud anyone who does something positive related to attaining their dream. If he was a younger man others may say, hey if at first you dont succeed try try again.
He has my respect for wanting to do SOMETHING.
ebisen
For the sake of doing it?
What will now happen is that he will leave the burden of his burial to the state or his family. I wonder if he calculated this far.
Dennis Bauer
@hereforever, just his banc account is enough, don't want unsavory person's at his door right?
warispeace
@ebisen
That you have to wonder is a wonder. As a war vet, he wanted a platform to add his voice of experience to the public discourse to counter the hawkish din that's grown over the past number of months. He truly knows the suffering of war, unlike the many tough-talking posers out there.
Hiroicci
It's his money, it's his decision. He'll die penniless but happy even if he does, or, considering his courage, I guess he'll live to fight another day.
Reckless for his age? Maybe. I just think that he was exercising his democratic right to stand for election in a country that was becoming undemocratic, racist and corrupt in his eyes though. Or would an old person not have that right or just have less of that? How sad it is if you think all old men SHOULD only save their money, sit down with their descendants, watch sumo, have no ambition but think about which coffin to choose.
Yubaru
What does it matter to you? As I wrote in another thread on this guy, it's his money, he can do what he wants, and at his age I give him credit for doing what he believed in and not like a typical Japanese oyaji and squirel away his money to leave to his family.
Who knows but I will bet that he has PLENTY of money for a cremation. Even with getting nenkin, there is plenty to deal with that. A huge funeral? Who knows, and really what right does ANYONE have to tell him what he SHOULD be doing ot NOT?
And what is wrong with it if it was? Are you jealous? In a manner of speaking I am, because he took a risk, knowing fully well that he could easily lose the money he invested. Even if I thought I had a chance I doubt I would do the same.
I
Alphaape
I think he should have been elected since he obviously knew the value of money. Why blow $35K plus additional costs for a service you will not even know happens. Maybe he would have put some since into politics on spending wisely instead of foolishly.
This guy must have seen a lot in his lifetime. From world war and destruction to the rise of Japan Inc. He probably knows what a racket the funeral business is and this is probably his was of "giving them the bird" before he goes.
Hiroicci
It is highly probable that most of his family or blood members agreed to let him stand. Otherwise, he would have been stopped by them.
The same people will happily contribute to his funeral arrangement. If so, it won't be burden to them.
hereforever
Dennis, good point. Thanks.
Rose Kina Kina
Money is need not want so the old guy spent it what he wants.i respect Him to the highest esteem of respect. I pray for more blessings and good health. Thanks guys to all comments you shared.i learned a lesson from your opinion.For Kawashima -san I salute you! Godspeed!
Aristoman
2 bad ideas. To save money on fancy funeral, and going to politics at age 94. What about Hawai or spred your political ideas over YouTube. You safe 30.000 dolars.
globalwatcher
I can tell he has seen enough in life. . I would like to send him a ticket, if he is willing, to come to the Wall Street. Everyone has to learn from him to be humble. This man deserves the great respect and honor.
aisai
globalwatcherDec. 18, 2012 - 11:41AM JST I can tell he has seen enough in life. . I would like to send him a ticket, if he is willing, to come to the Wall Street. Everyone has to learn from him to be humble. This man deserves the great respect and honor.
He just ran as a candidate for the Japanese Diet. He shouldn't be too hard to track down. Ran for the seat in the Saitama 12th District.
So if your offer is really sincere, then why not look him up and tell him about it.
Here's his official election profile page: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/shugiin/2012/profile/ya11012009.htm
Here's the page for the Saitama Election Managenment Office:
http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/soshiki/t01/
Contact them and tell them of your idea. What's stopping you if, once again, your offer is really sincere?
Jimizo
Hats off to you, sir. A pity posturing nationalists such as rich kid/tummyache Abe and erotica novelist Ishihara have more clout than the views of soldiers like this who experienced the consequences of nationalism in the horrors of war.
globalwatcher
aisaiDec. 18, 2012 - 11:58AM JST
Thanks. I will have someone reading it for me. I will write to him.
bruinfan
This is the guy that should be prime minister...voters are so duped. The very people putting Abe in as PM, are going to show their disapproval oh in say about a month.
ebisen
Oh, get a grip with the reality... he barely got 1% of the votes, when he was supposed to get 10%. Normally, if he would have been a wise (worthy to be elected) man, he would have knew this would happen. To participate only to make a point I can't yet see is really reckless, and honestly, seeing how he thinks, I would not want him representing him.
ebisen
Nobody would like him to blow away public money with the same lack of preparation like he did with his own money, so why should he get elected?
smithinjapan
"Kawashima, a veteran of World War II who spent four years on the frontline in China told AFP ahead of the vote he was alarmed by the rightward turn Japan was taking."
Total respect. A man with experience, who actually learned from it, as opposed to the grandchildren of war criminals who were never anywhere near battle zones but say what 'truly' happened. As for the funeral money, bah. It can't possibly cost that much to be put in a simple box and burned to ash, and the beauty of it is that once you're dead it doesn't matter. I doubt he can die at the base of Mt. Fuji, but power to this man for ditching money and replacing it with morality.
aisai
hereforeverDec. 18, 2012 - 09:13AM JST JT, if possible please post this brave man's address, I as well as many others would like to send him some money this new year to replenish his funeral funds. We feel for you Mr. Kawashima.
I guess that you really must not have wanted to send him money bad enough (or maybe you were just too busy?) because it only took me a few seconds on Google to find out some general information about this man. Imagine what YOU could accomplish if you really applied YOURSELF.
If you're post is not just lip service, be proactive and use the links I posted above to find out this guy's address and see if he wants your money.
smithinjapan
Rather than sending the guy some money, send him a letter of respect. He states flat out the money means nothing, and back it up with his actions, but a kind letter would mean a whole lot more.
Nathaw
It is true. Abe was elected in 2006 and he was kicked off from office for less than a year. He is worried about the inflammation from war mongering rightists. He had unpleasant memory of pre-war ultra nationalism.
He was a real Samurai who had served in WWII unlike CHICKEN HAWKS like Ishihara and Abe who has never been to front line. According the Bushido code, Samurai do not concern much about losing money . They even willing to sacrifice their lives for their cause. He is a real Yamato who is pure and clean. Mount Fuji will be very proud of that warrior.
Yubaru
Somebody has been watching Last Samurai too many times......
osakajoe
Totally agree with Yubaru
Fadamor
The answer was right in the article for you to read:
He's one of the few left who actually remember the last time Japan's military was in operation. Back then it was all about "nationalism" and giving your all for the Emperor. The comments of the new conservatives sound chilliingly similar to the propaganda released by the Palace back in the 30's and early 40's.