tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post1465273659505586935..comments2023-10-09T00:45:55.603+09:00Comments on Shisaku: What are we going to do about Shinzo?MTChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626942240117432624noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-86211979367363360802007-08-05T13:13:00.000+09:002007-08-05T13:13:00.000+09:00Edith, it never fails to amuse!But seriously, it's...Edith, it never fails to amuse!<BR/><BR/>But seriously, it's great to see posts up here again (I had almost stopped checking).<BR/><BR/>To me, one of the largest strides forward is simply the fact that there now is a dialog based around who is fit to be the next PM. A decade ago it simply would not have mattered. Whoever was next would be next, the faction head kingpin-makers would give their decision, and that would be it.<BR/><BR/>Now, while it's good for democracy that such a dialog is taking place, it's deeply saddening that there isn't at least someone in the government that could be viewed as an adequate for Prime Minister (hopefully Takenaka's thinking about 2009...).<BR/><BR/>I don't think, however, that the lack of an apparent heir to the PM position should be allowed as a reasonable excuse for putting off a Lower House election.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-44720298041476116452007-08-03T13:10:00.000+09:002007-08-03T13:10:00.000+09:00Abe serves a very important purpose. He is there b...Abe serves a very important purpose. He is there because no one else wants to be and he is a splendid distraction from a discussion of the real issues. He is the Alberto Gonzales of Japan.<BR/><BR/>Delighted by your return. The cretins at Antampon were ceasing to amuse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-19692286077040032862007-08-03T05:41:00.000+09:002007-08-03T05:41:00.000+09:00As far as I remember, in 2002, the same question w...As far as I remember, in 2002, the same question was raised about Koizumi-san, who became very, very unpopular after sacking Makiko Tanaka. Of course, there was no big election that year, and Koizumi-san was already starting to think about big economic reforms, such as the privatization of the Japan Highway, and big projects, such as paying a visit to Kim Jong-Il.<BR/>--Abe should do the same, for sure. But at the time, the real question was: "Who could replace Koizumi?". And the answer, for many Japanese, was: "Nobody". So, who could replace Abe-san by now? Aso-san? Tanigaki-san? Fukuda-san? Koizumi-san? Tony Blair? Hmmm... If I were Abe, I would: 1. Reshuffle my team very quickly (if there are still good people willing to work with him!); 2. Put big, popular reforms on the table; 3. Stop talking about a Beautiful Japan, as the Japanese showed no particular interest in this 19th century's old German-romantic-nationalist rhetoric so far; 4. Weaken the DPJ by attacking its contradictory policies and even nominate some of its members in the new government (Divide to rule! President Sarkozy of France is doing that and it works!); 5. Listen more to the Japanese people; 6. Understand that this is the 21st century, ergo, invest more time in communication and PR!<BR/>But I’m not Abe-san, an aristocrat who would rather like to reshuffle the Japanese people itself than his own government.<BR/>Ps: We missed you, Shisaku!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com