politics

Opposition calls on Abe to oppose Trump's refugee ban

45 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2017 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

45 Comments
Login to comment

This could very well be one of the dumbest things a Japanese politician has ever said.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

Really? How can she dictate something like that when Japan has a 99% ban on Refugees. Even non-refugees have difficulties immigrating to Japan! However, Japan does have room for 40 million tourist and room for thousand "Home-stay" for take care of its farms. This helps Japan and only Japan. Go to Japan, work, spend money then leave is the policy here.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Oh Renho, how about calling on Abe about his refugee ban. Was is 26 or 27 that were let into Japan last year? Out of thousands of applicants.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Immigration policy of a country is core of national sovereignty. Japan's politician has no say on America's immigration policy. Contrary to what's on TV, more Americans support Trump on this issue than those who oppose.

Besides, it's Renho who can't even clarify her own nationality. She's nothing.

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

I wish the opposition would take Abe to task about his wasteful 'appeasetrumpanomics' spending.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Renho - focused on US refugee policies... Abe and Toyoda - focused on US jobs. Is it just JT posters who feel that these people should focus on helping those whom they represent and live with ?

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Renho is the one very much misguided.

This is the way Japanese opposition parties do, they are just soo much focusing on criticizing PM Abe, they don't seem realize they are also hypocrite. Renho, if you want to tak about refugee, shouldN't Japan accept more of them?

3 ( +9 / -6 )

The head of Japan’s main opposition party has called on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to speak up against President Donald Trump’s refugee ban

As much as I hate to say it, I agree with several of the people posting on this thread thus far. Even if Japan's people/politicians disagree with Bannon/Trump's refugee ban, they don't have a leg to stand on given Japan's dismal and utterly shameful record when it comes to accepting refugees. Given that, in all reality how is Abe supposed to speak up against the refugee ban, and do it with a straight face?

I know a number of Japanese people who are voicing anger regarding Trump's refugee ban, yet these same people never speak out about Japan's lack of willingness to embrace immigrants and refugees. Hypocrisy at its worst.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Is it any wonder that they are/will remain in permanent opposition. Did anyone in the media think to ask her about Japan's own policy? Now, had she said something like this:

I condemn Trump's horribly xenophobic rhetoric b/c it reminds me of the dominant strain of thought in the ruling party here (as well as a sizeable/depressingly large % of the population). That to criticize only the US or Abe's silence would be rank hypocrisy.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Maybe if she was leader of japan, she would allow more refugees in! Did anybody ever think of that. But she is never given the chance because most people in Japan don't want anybody else, thus they keep Abe and his pals in office.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Keep out of this before someone notices how sensible Japans current policy is and used by Trump.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Immigration-shy Japan accepts very few refugees—last year it pledged to receive up to 150 Syrian students over five years from 2017, despite having a population of about 127 million. In 2015 it took in 27 refugees.

Immigration-shy? Try immigration-phobic. STILL waiting to see HOW Abe is going to keep the population at 100 million.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

This could be a story straight out of The Onion.

This shows that politicians of all gender and nationality are full of stinky poop.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

the US constitution does not apply to foreigners and Japan has no say in it.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

What, and grow a spine when Abe's busy nipping at Trump's heels and looking for a biscuit? Japan can't even let in refugees when the schoolyard bully isn't saying how high for Abe to jump, there's no way they are suddenly going to make things more open AND defy the man Abe's scared out of his wits about.

Nice thinking, Renho, but wishful at best. The only reason I think this is being brought up in this forum is because it will gain more traction with people's adverse reactions to Trump, and Abe's kowtowing. If she had just brought up the issue of immigration in general absolultely no one would listen.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

The Democratic Party doesn't seem to have any intention of being elected

4 ( +4 / -0 )

A leftist being leftist. As stated by Theresa May "they are good on running protests not a country" but I would go further they're are not good running anything serious.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

"A leftist being leftist. As stated by Theresa May "they are good on running protests not a country" but I would go further they're are not good running anything serious."

You mean unlike her party whose leader called a referendum to save his own party thinking he'd win it, and left the government running around like headless chickens?

That's what I call leadership.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Renho, a former TV anchorwoman who took the reins of the Democratic Party in September, said Abe’s restrained remarks have been “insufficient” for a national leader.

Once I heard Democratic Party, I realized it was a big yawn!

Really? How can she dictate something like that when Japan has a 99% ban on Refugees. Even non-refugees have difficulties immigrating to Japan! However, Japan does have room for 40 million tourist and room for thousand "Home-stay" for take care of its farms. This helps Japan and only Japan. Go to Japan, work, spend money then leave is the policy here.

Bingo!

If she's so concerned, she should muster support and pull to allow as many refugees to enter in this country, that would go over so well with everyone. Renho should set an example, flood the country and show the US how it's done.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Woww ... look at your home first.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

When folks talk about Trump and human rights, it seems to me they are being extremely naive in saying let them all in regardless of the fact that there is no proof as to who they really are. Extreme vetting only makes sense.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

"This could very well be one of the dumbest things a Japanese politician has ever said."

That's a very competitive field and this actually doesn't sit at the very top. The idea that Trump's approach to refugees is wrong but Japan shouldn't accept more refugees or immigrants is one which sits quite comfortably in the minds of many Japanese people I know. The language is "too difficult", the customs are too complex....you can all fill in the rest.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

That's a very competitive field and this actually doesn't sit at the very top.

My money's still on Aso's encouragement to seniors: "Hurry up and croak already. Sadly, he's never taken his own words to heart. < https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/22/elderly-hurry-up-die-japanese>

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Whether they agree or not with the temporary refugee ban, Japan has no grounds to criticize U.S. immigration policy relative to refugees

2 ( +3 / -1 )

When folks talk about Trump and human rights, it seems to me they are being extremely naive in saying let them all in regardless of the fact that there is no proof as to who they really are.

I wonder if you realize no one is saying that, or truly believe that this is what people are saying. And if you do truly believe it, is it a lack of checking the truth on your part, or are you blindly believing what the MSM is telling you?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Is Renho seriously suggesting that Abe should interfere in US domestic affairs?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So does that mean this opposition party is willing to take in all the refugees America is turning away??

I highly doubt it.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Latest news:

Federal judge temporarily halts Trump travel ban nationwide

About time. Trump's policies are based on hate. He hates first, acts on it then thinks later (actually he doesn't think at all)

Sorry Trump suckers. Now I wonder if Trump can actually last before he quits then we will have a real politician. Trump's replacement (Pence) is a Jesus freak who doesn't believe in science, but still a real politician. Trump voters - what were you thinking voting for this orange fake haired clown? Don't you think yourselves?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Perhaps Trump will ask Abe "How do you do that?"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That was fast: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/federal-judge-temporarily-blocks-trumps-immigration-order-nationwide/2017/02/03/9b734e1c-ea54-11e6-bf6f-301b6b443624_story.html

I figured this would be tied up in the courts for longer than the three month ban. And I'm sure there will be more legal challenges in both directions to follow. But it does seem that the ban will at least temporarily be stopped.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I almost fell out of my chair laughing on anyone from Japan criticizing another country's refuge policy! Is Renho really that clueless?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

For you guys pointing out, and rightly celebrating, the judge stopping the ban -- and it is a ban despite the "alternative names" Spicer and Co. want to give it -- don't forget that Trump has already suggested scrapping any obstacle to getting what he wants. The guy is going full on dictator, so don't be surprised when the next step is for him to try and get rid of said judge, possibly suggesting military force.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Well good on them.... Japan's opposition wants to bring in millions of refugees....

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The refugee flow might be a great opportunity for those nations isolated (in Japan's case, quite literally) geographically to pick up lots of talent without having to contend with those whose immediate and future contributions and prospects are minimal. Send "talent scouts" to the refugee camps. The people selected in this way will more likely contribute immediately to their new homes. "Cruel"? Since when has the Left got religion?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

OHHHH the Irony!!!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I heard to qualify for refugee status in Japan you must be willing to work a 3K job...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

On Japan refugee ban:

Japan is the role model for Donald Trump with a solid border wall (water) and a fairly strict refugee ban in place.

I could see loosening up the refugee ban as long as these youths are willing to learn something (learning Visas). Japan's population is declining and many schools are empty. If these students wanted to use their education to work then their learning Visa should be extended.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If the ''Opposition'' thinks that what Trump is doing is deplorable, then why are they not calling for Abe to accept more refugees? And why are they not protesting against the Abe regime's change of interpretation of what a refugee is in order to not take any? I see a lot of Japanese on my facebook post articles about how inhumane, how deplorable is what Trump is doing, do these people have the slightest idea of what their own country is doing? That is a rhetorical question obviously.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If the ''Opposition'' thinks that what Trump is doing is deplorable, then why are they not calling for Abe to accept more refugees?

I've seen posters on this site who are critical of Trump's actions also critical of Japan's handling of refugees. So your premise that it is not happening is incorrect.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Now I wonder if Trump can actually last before he quits then we will have a real politician.

I thought the same about Obama and yet, he lasted a full 8 years, shockingly!

Trump's replacement (Pence) is a Jesus freak who doesn't believe in science, but still a real politician. Trump voters - what were you thinking voting for this orange fake haired clown? Don't you think yourselves?

Probably we feel the same way you guys felt when you guys swooned over Obama.

The guy is going full on dictator,

Naw, he has a long way to go to catch up to Obama in that department.

so don't be surprised when the next step is for him to try and get rid of said judge, possibly suggesting military force.

Huh? Oh, jeeeez....ROFL

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Hahaha... I see the "trump bots" are back, changing the "popular vote" on comments into alternate fact.

bass4funk: "I thought the same about Obama and yet, he lasted a full 8 years, shockingly!"

Even many Republicans are asking Obama to break his silence on Trump and wish Obama were still in office, my friend. Trump won't last a year, one way or another. And with that bigot Bannon pushing him to start the "Fourth Turning" and war in South-East Asia, why aren't you guys screaming about war war war like you were over a mere no-fly zone proposal a few weeks ago?

"Huh? Oh, jeeeez....ROFL"

"huh" and the laughter are the responses of the world to Spicer's retweeting of his comments when he realizes how dumb he sounds in the first ones. You ever read them back to back? It's quite funny. All the "outrageousness" of it is gone, as are the fake terrorist attack report justifications, but it's still funny all the same. And yes, the WH is already doing all it can to circumvent the judge's lifting of the ban (what do you guys call the ban again, anyway? "alternative ban"?).

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Naw, he has a long way to go to catch up to Obama in that department.

Obama never tried to force anyone to build a wall and get the Mexicans to pay.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Even many Republicans are asking Obama to break his silence on Trump and wish Obama were still in office, my friend.

Really? Which ones? Names and quotes please.

Trump won't last a year, one way or another.

Many of us thought that about Obama, seriously! Boy were we wrong!

And with that bigot Bannon pushing him to start the "Fourth Turning" and war in South-East Asia, why aren't you guys screaming about war war war like you were over a mere no-fly zone proposal a few weeks ago?

When Valarie Jarret was whispering and puling Obama's strings NOT one of you libs said anything, not a peep!

"huh" and the laughter are the responses of the world to Spicer's retweeting of his comments when he realizes how dumb he sounds in the first ones. You ever read them back to back? It's quite funny.

Now you know how many of us felt when Josh Earnest was pulling stuff out of his.....

All the "outrageousness" of it is gone, as are the fake terrorist attack report justifications, but it's still funny all the same. And yes, the WH is already doing all it can to circumvent the judge's lifting of the ban (what do you guys call the ban again, anyway? "alternative ban"?).

Yeah, yeah, I know what you want to say, Indonesians aren't complaining, go on....

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites