LDP might actually lose.

[dimwit]

Polls: Japan PM's popularity sags, disapproval rate rises ahead of July vote

By CARL FREIRE
Associated Press Writer

TOKYO (AP) -- The support rate for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government fell to its lowest level yet since he took office last September, a newspaper poll showed Monday, a result that bodes ill for him in this month's elections.

Meanwhile, more than half of respondents to another newspaper poll disapproved of his Cabinet - the first time the mark has soared above 50 percent in more than six years.

The polls add to indications of a steady decline in Abe's support rates since he came to office nine months ago, making the run-up to the July 29 upper house elections a fight for his political survival.

...That marked the first time a Cabinet's disapproval rate has risen above 50 percent since the 75-percent mark hit by then-Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's Cabinet in February 2001, the paper said

From the Daily Yomiuri
Rest of story here

The most surprising thing about this election is that in places like Ehime which is as strong a LDP bastion as they come, they are so much of a fight that Abe has been visiting to try to hold the support. I have been hearing the same thing all over Shikoku and Kyushu.

[canman]

As much as I would love to see Mr. Abe get a good ass whipping, I just don't see it happening. With the way that vote strength is much more powerful in the rural areas, the LDP will continue to dominate the political process. Why do you think the stupid "Furusato Tax" was introduced. IT was all a scam to play to the locals to continue to vote for the LDP. I read an article where in this upcoming Upper House election the weight of votes will be something like 4-1 for rural voters. That is insane, but it is what keeps the LDP in power.

[IkemenTommy]

Another erection?:zzz:
I thought they just had something a month or two ago.
Prepare for the army of loud speaker vans at your local train stations.

[Mulboyne]

[Takechanpoo]

This is conspiracy by agents of Judea-WASP.

[Big Booger]

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is likely to suffer a crushing defeat in Sunday's House of Councillors election, possibly failing to secure 40 seats, according to a Mainichi exit poll.

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20070729p2a00m0na011000c.html

[canman]

Was my prediction wrong. Not that I'm broken up about it or anything like that. I have been watching some of the coverage and love the fact that a couple of the stations are using their comic announcers to give election results. Now I know that in North America Jon Stewart is very popular giving his kind of pseudo news, but its on Comedy Central. But these are main broadcasting channels using comedians to give important news. But once again I have to remind myself T.I.J.
The big question now is whether or not Abe will step down. I noticed the chief cabinet secretary has already stated that Abe doesn't have to take responsibility for this loss, but I completely disagree with him. This is the first time the people have had a chance to voice their opinion about Abe. He was never elected to the position of prime minister, it was handed to him by Koizumi. The other question is now what does the Liberal party do with their success. From what I can gather the upper house can only vote to pass or reject bills, they have no power to offer amendments or changes. I think they have to be careful and not be labeled as obstructionists by the LDP.

[Iraira]

Was my prediction wrong. Not that I'm broken up about it or anything like that. I have been watching some of the coverage and love the fact that a couple of the stations are using their comic announcers to give election results. Now I know that in North America Jon Stewart is very popular giving his kind of pseudo news, but its on Comedy Central. But these are main broadcasting channels using comedians to give important news. But once again I have to remind myself T.I.J.
The big question now is whether or not Abe will step down. I noticed the chief cabinet secretary has already stated that Abe doesn't have to take responsibility for this loss, but I completely disagree with him. This is the first time the people have had a chance to voice their opinion about Abe. He was never elected to the position of prime minister, it was handed to him by Koizumi. The other question is now what does the Liberal party do with their success. From what I can gather the upper house can only vote to pass or reject bills, they have no power to offer amendments or changes. I think they have to be careful and not be labeled as obstructionists by the LDP.

Did Tojo's psychotic daughter win, lose, or draw? If she won, when do we go to war, again?

[Takechanpoo]

It seems that Ozawa is almost dead.
This is why he doesnt appear on TV.

[Doctor Stop]

If she won, when do we go to war, again?

As soon as they can defrost Emperor Hirohito, who's been kept on ice in a subterranean vault deep underneath the Pirates of the Caribbean ride of Tokyo Disneyland, and manage to successfully reanimate him.

[Typhoon]

I hope that Abe stays on to ensure that the LDP also gets a major case of "whup ass" in the Lower House erection.

My guess is that the 50 million pension records were purposely "misplaced" in a lame attempt to cover to some disastrous pork-barrel investments by the gov't. The lesser of two evils.

[Mulboyne]

It will be interesting to see how the overseas press squares the election result with their other coverage of how Japan is moving to the right. Certainly, the voting seems to have been more anti-LDP than pro-DPJ and the main issue was the pension debacle but it ought to give a different perspective on how inevitable a rightward move is in the country.

[Big Booger]

It will be interesting to see how the overseas press squares the election result with their other coverage of how Japan is moving to the right. Certainly, the voting seems to have been more anti-LDP than pro-DPJ and the main issue was the pension debacle but it ought to give a different perspective on how inevitable a rightward move is in the country.

I have been telling my wife this very thing much to her chagrin. Once the old righty wagon gets rolling there's no pulling back on the reins. I foresee nothing good in Japan's future. No siree.

[Greji]

I have been telling my wife this very thing much to her chagrin. Once the old righty wagon gets rolling there's no pulling back on the reins. I foresee nothing good in Japan's future. No siree.

So many things can affect an election and I really don't think a shift right or left has any bearing to the thinking of the normal J-voter at election time. Given the discussions to revise Article #9, probably had some effect, but I wouldn't think much.

The key issues that were probably on their mind were all in the recent news. The myriad scandals, slush funds and the huge bugaboo, the Pension system problem.

These were in the forefront of the mind of the voters when they went to the polls and so they took revenge against the LDP. However, I don't think it means that all these voters have linked up permanantly with the Yatto (I should say former Yatto). Plus, I really wouldn't count the LDP out yet. They've had too many years to learn all the ropes of the system.

[hundefar]

So many things can affect an election and I really don't think a shift right or left has any bearing to the thinking of the normal J-voter at election time. Given the discussions to revise Article #9, probably had some effect, but I wouldn't think much.

The key issues that were probably on their mind were all in the recent news. The myriad scandals, slush funds and the huge bugaboo, the Pension system problem.

These were in the forefront of the mind of the voters when they went to the polls and so they took revenge against the LDP. However, I don't think it means that all these voters have linked up permanantly with the Yatto (I should say former Yatto). Plus, I really wouldn't count the LDP out yet. They've had too many years to learn all the ropes of the system.

Isn't the most important now how fast the general election comes? If there were to be a general election now LDP would probably lose. If Abe can hold it off for at while he might have a chance to reestablish some of the trust that the LDP has lost.

It will be interesting to see if the opposition will use the upper house majority to block LDP policies and force a general election through that way.

[GomiGirl]

Well this is a very interesting situation. This has been a HUGE wake-up call for the LDP and a huge moral boost for the opposition. I guess it will force both parties to be super vigilent on corruption issues, clean house and also it will wake up some of the population from their political apathy and "shouganai". Perhaps even get people to look at the way their local representatives behave and what they are getting from them.

[Greji]

I guess it will force both parties to be super vigilent on corruption issues, clean house and also it will wake up some of the population from their political apathy and "shouganai". Perhaps even get people to look at the way their local representatives behave and what they are getting from them.

Still you're talking about Japan. A little bit of corruption goes a long way. A lot of people still would rather have a politician serving them that has a little sleaze as long as he brings home the pork!

Just look at Muneo. Supposedly dead in the water, headed for prison right? He would be un-electable in any other country. Yet, he gets re-elected and remains in power abeit not with the authority he once had, but he's still there.

I prefer to wait and see before betting the LDP is down and out!

[GomiGirl]

Well I am not rooting for either party... but rather for the political/democratic process which seems to happen without much input or consideration by the general population. People should be more involved and informed about the way that the laws that affect them are made.

Elections are a joke with people not knowing anything more than the name and the waving style of the candidates who are running for office in their districts.

[IkemenTommy]

There was an erection last weekend?
Now, where is my unemployment check I've been waiting for?

[Phoenix_stu]

Well I am not rooting for either party... but rather for the political/democratic process which seems to happen without much input or consideration by the general population. People should be more involved and informed about the way that the laws that affect them are made.

Elections are a joke with people not knowing anything more than the name and the waving style of the candidates who are running for office in their districts.

OR who has the biggest loudspeaker.