tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post7079409585534216064..comments2023-10-09T00:45:55.603+09:00Comments on Shisaku: Japan's Presidential ElectionMTChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626942240117432624noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-47028244379838971472010-09-03T19:31:54.480+09:002010-09-03T19:31:54.480+09:00Dan, while the PM is supposed to represent the cou...Dan, while the PM is supposed to represent the country as a whole, the electorate does not choose the prime minister, neither here in Japan, nor in any other parliamentary democracy. The leader of the party that can command the most seats after an election is given the opportunity to form the government. The leader of the party is chosen by party members, with the details differing from country to country.<br /><br />It might violate the spirit of democracy to a certain extent by not having a general election right after a leadership change, especially if a party plays Musical PMs for five years, it is by no means violating the laws. <br /><br />And right now the Japanese electorate is not in the mood for a general election. I think most people right want a prime minister who will serve out his mandate, and then let the chips fall where they may in three years time. I know I sure as hell do.Joenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-51731568933340023282010-09-03T13:58:56.013+09:002010-09-03T13:58:56.013+09:00"Remember, before the funding scandal people ..."Remember, before the funding scandal people were quite positive about a DPJ government <i>compared to an LDP one</i>."<br /><br />FTFY.<br /><br />But seriously, at the time the LDP was still in power and desperately incompetent, so anything looked better than that -- even the Shadow Shogun becoming PM.<br /><br />"Tanaka was a crim, but before Koizumi came along, people still spoke about him with great affection."<br /><br />Only if you were from Niigata.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-34978980655262171842010-09-03T11:52:04.359+09:002010-09-03T11:52:04.359+09:00Tony, Because the PM, unlike the President of the ...Tony, Because the PM, unlike the President of the party, is meant to represent the whole nation - and Oz CLEARLY does not have a mandate from the population. Historical parallel:Dan Slaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-5926476272904393882010-09-03T05:02:49.062+09:002010-09-03T05:02:49.062+09:00"If Ozawa prevails in the intra-party contras..."If Ozawa prevails in the intra-party contrast, the populace at large will feel at least a sense of letdown, if not out-and-out disgust."<br /><br />Well, until he actually moves on policy. Remember, before the funding scandal people were quite positive about a DPJ government under Ozawa. My sense is they can be forgiving if he actually turns out to be quite a good leader. Lordy knows, he's had enough time to prepare for the role. Hell they may even turn on those calling for "unfair" investigations into funding irregularities. While I don't want to infer policy comparisons, Tanaka was a crim, but before Koizumi came along, people still spoke about him with great affection.<br /><br />Dan, why would the election of a new PM be grounds for a general election?Fat Tonynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-17956680818169335542010-09-02T17:45:53.262+09:002010-09-02T17:45:53.262+09:00Surely the most important point, which you don'...Surely the most important point, which you don't address :( is whether it's possible to be PM merely by winning a pary elections? In the past, the unseated incumbent has triggered a General Election - as they should.Dan Slaternoreply@blogger.com