tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post8973475468934942899..comments2023-10-09T00:45:55.603+09:00Comments on Shisaku: A Flash...And It's GoneMTChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626942240117432624noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-11039241616272365072011-06-03T15:47:52.444+09:002011-06-03T15:47:52.444+09:00I see Ozawa as the LBJ of Japanese politics - the ...I see Ozawa as the LBJ of Japanese politics - the consummate parliamentarian, but unable to play an effective executive role outside the legislature. I don't doubt his potential abilities, but his making and breaking of "opposition" parties and alliances, while consistently stabbing his former allies and colleagues in the back make me as likely to support him for Prime Minister as my supporting Godzilla as Tokyo's Urban Planning Director. I really haven't seen that much in the way of concrete proposals from him over the years.Hugh Ashtonhttp://BeneathGraySki.esnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-91319849149218570642011-06-02T12:42:46.021+09:002011-06-02T12:42:46.021+09:00Ozawa is sincere. I do think he really does want s...Ozawa is sincere. I do think he really does want something with politics beyond power for himself, something good. And his abilities are perfectly suited to a background role. <br /><br />But he has a streak of ambition not well matched to his abilities, and that ambition periodically makes him lose sight of the long-term goals. This is not the first, or even the second, time this has happened with Ozawa, after all. I wrote a post about this <a href="http://janneinosaka.blogspot.com/2011/02/whats-eating-ozawa.html" rel="nofollow">here</a> last autumn.Jan Morenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06834641501438709866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-65481846225452176362011-06-02T11:21:37.240+09:002011-06-02T11:21:37.240+09:00Janne,
But many, including those who do not care ...Janne,<br /><br />But many, including those who do not care for him, say that Ozawa likes to have power behind the scenes. Others argue that those around Kan started the attacks, and that Ozawa largely had no choice but to fight back. This is above my paygrade, but a party can't survive if the top three or four in it can't bury the hatchet - no matter what the reason. Perhaps it's Ozawa's fault, but it sure seems like those around Kan had it in for Ozawa.<br /><br />So my question is if those who fund or otherwise influence Kan and Ozawa were at war, and thus the current state. If Ozawa is sincere in trying to take power from the bureaucrats and give it to politicians, it might explain things better as those with power will fight bitterly to maintain it. Not denying his arrogance or anything; I'm just curious whether others think he is sincere in this.PaxAmericananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-65963396266544746782011-06-02T10:20:43.604+09:002011-06-02T10:20:43.604+09:00The analysts at Yomiuri (who have had trouble hidi...The analysts at Yomiuri (who have had trouble hiding their glee at this turn of events) suggest that if the DPJ defectors are 30 or fewer,they will be expelled from the party; but if the number is much larger, Kan may have no choice but to resign. It looks like the number will indeed be much larger than 30, but I'm not sure Kan will resign even then. In any case, this is a most depressing turn of events at a time when we need unity, not infighting.wataruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10934449228000680775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-49344796264158234362011-06-02T09:02:12.109+09:002011-06-02T09:02:12.109+09:00"Compromise is the nature of politics, so wha..."Compromise is the nature of politics, so what is it that made Kan and Ozawa come to loggerheads?"<br /><br />Ozawa didn't get to be prime minister, that's what. Everything he does has always ultimately aimed at seeing himself in the PM's office.<br /><br />Oh well; I can't say I didn't predict this would happen sooner rather than later. <br /><br />My hope is that the cabinet will have the strength to at least implement the voting district reform, and hopefully enact the suggested pension reforms - the opposition seems to be in broad agreement over the general thrust so it's not impossible.<br /><br />My worry now is that an unreformed, still intact LDP will have the strength to pick up power and spend another five or ten years doing nothing with Japans worsening societal problems.<br /><br />Of course, if Ozawa stays true to his nature he'll start another new party and possibly bleed LDP of enough people that they don't have the strength to do anything either.Jan Morenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06834641501438709866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-60589890855065632702011-06-02T00:37:43.212+09:002011-06-02T00:37:43.212+09:00What has me mystified is why the war against Ozawa...What has me mystified is why the war against Ozawa occurred in the first place. What was the point? Compromise is the nature of politics, so what is it that made Kan and Ozawa come to loggerheads?PaxAmericananoreply@blogger.com