'Japan's electorate alienated, disillusioned'

[Taro Toporific]

Japan's electorate alienated, disillusioned
Question: Some criticize Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for breaking so many promises. But even when Mr. Koizumi blurted out that breaking political promises was "no big deal," very few Japanese reacted angrily. Why is that?
Answer: I think people are alienated and beaten down, and so cynical now that they don't know what to do...
...If you watch what he [PM Koizumi] has said about the U.N. and Iraq, he said nothing except: "We support the United States, and we support international collaboration and security." Basically, he was trying to have it both ways. He managed very skillfully to avoid getting in the situation which France and Germany are in. I think that is, frankly, the only smart thing for Japan to do.
?????The only smart thing for Japan to do is to stay on the sidelines.

[American Oyaji]

I think he made promises that he didnt realize how hard it would be to fulfill them.

Most politcal leaders in the world care only for their own pleasure. Anything that would make the rest of the leadership uncomfortable physically, financially, or politically would be stonewalled in the legislature.

There are many skeletons in the closets of Japanese politicians.

I'm surprised their constituents don't get it with the bones flying out of their mouths when they speak.