THE ARISTOCADS
Japan's Trump-in-Waiting? Taro Aso is the Clown Prince of Politics
He is really rich, stunningly insensitive, stupidly honest, and possibly the next prime minister. He may be the perfect Japanese counterpart for The Donald.
thedailybeast.com | 08.04.17 9:15 PM ET
TOKYO--Japan’s Vice Prime Minister Taro Aso was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and enough room to insert his foot in as well—again and again. He is one of the wealthiest members of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, which everyone knows is neither liberal nor democratic, and has a solid record protecting the Japanese Business Federation and its interests.
In that sense, Aso is an exemplary LDP member.
He was also once the prime minister of Japan, lasting a few days short of a full year.
He is famous for his gaffes: “Why don’t we learn how to do constitutional reform from the Nazis?”—and, “How long do these people over 90 intend to live anyway?”
He’s not very diplomatic or good at manipulating the press, but on the plus side, unlike Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, he has a sense of humor...
...He’s also a dapper dresser. He and the most powerful yakuza boss in Japan, the 6th generation leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Tsukasa Shinobu, seem to have the same tailor ...more...