Taro Aso is "Worst Ever PM In Post-War Japan"

[Mulboyne]

The new issue of Shukan Bunshun asks who has been the worst prime minister in post-war Japan. The quick and easy answer appears to be the current incumbent Taro Aso. In second place is Sōsuke Uno who was brought down by a geisha scandal. Aso's immediate precessors, Fukuda and Abe, rank third and fourth while Yoshirō Mori, who held the post before Koizumi is fifth worst. Koizumi himself ranks sixth which suggests that he still divides opinion with many blaming the country's current woes on his reform agenda. Kakuei Tanaka, one of the most powerful figures in postwar politics, is ninth place. The magazine surveyed 2,000 commentators and public figures it come up with the results and Aso was the hands-down winner. The responses complained that he lacks a common touch, has enacted no policies of any significance and has lost the complete trust of the public.

From Itai News.

[sublight]

Wonder where Obuchi came in?

Kind of a wet dishrag, but seemed to be making an effort to reach out to the public. And if nothing else, he at least had the good manners to drop dead.


"lacks a common touch, has enacted no policies of any significance and has lost the complete trust of the public."

This sounds more like a criticism of the LDP in general (and the JDP would likely be just as useless if they got power), with Aso taking the brunt just because he's the guy currently in the news. I'd have a hard time saying what he's done that's any worse than Fukuda or Abe.

[dimwit]

The problem with these surveys is that if you ask the general public to name ten post war prime ministers of Japan they generally get struck after about five. Koizumi in my books is one of the most successful prime ministers in that he was able to hold on to power for 5 years, came into power at a time when the LDP was seriously facing defeat after Mori and left office being still quite popular.

My top five list would be:

1) Abe

2) Uno

3) Mori

4)Takeshita

5) (tie) Kishi and Murayama

I wouldn't put Aso on the list because the LDP was already in trouble long before he took over.

[Mulboyne]

The internet forums are suggesting that Aso is looking haggard and his hair is thinning these days. ZakZak wonders whether, like Abe, he'll have to resign on health grounds if things get much worse.

[canman]

I think the LDP has tied its wagon to good old Taro, and if they made any kind of switch now, before an election they would get killed. Four PM's without the benefit of an election. I think the peeps would have a right to go nuts and vote for Ozawa in the next election. And who are they going to find to instill confidence? Koike Yuriko? Ishihara Nobuteru. They are bankrupt of ideas and leaders. Let the revolution begin.

[Catoneinutica]

I think the LDP has tied its wagon to good old Taro, and if they made any kind of switch now, before an election they would get killed. Four PM's without the benefit of an election. I think the peeps would have a right to go nuts and vote for Ozawa in the next election. And who are they going to find to instill confidence? Koike Yuriko? Ishihara Nobuteru. They are bankrupt of ideas and leaders. Let the revolution begin.

Sorry canman, but TIJ. The LDP has been in power for as long as Japan has been a postwar "democracy" (with the exception of that brief Hosokawa time-out). There won't be any revolutions; the LDP will remain in power, perhaps reorganized, perhaps under another name, perhaps in a coalition...or perhaps Koizumi will reappear and once again "save" it.

[Taro Toporific]

Getty/AFP....p1acards and effigies of PM Taro Aso and opposition leader 1chiro Ozawa to stage a protest against Aso's cabinet in Tokyo on March 8, 2009.

[Taro Toporific]

A few days ago, I stumbled across this charming bit of political graffiti in front of Exit 2 of Shin-Koenji station on the Tokyo's Marunouchi Line.

[Taro Toporific]

The Kyodo Headline News ticker is now reporting that:
"Mar.21 15:09 Gaffe-prone Aso says stock traders can be 'shady,' 'not trusted' "


full text: Japan PM Says Stock Traders Can Be Considered 'Shady' - Kyodo - EasyBourse actualité

[Number11]

Well, that's one thing he's right about...

[Taro Toporific]

A few days ago, I stumbled across this charming bit of political graffiti in front of Exit 2 of Shin-Koenji station on the Tokyo's Marunouchi Line.

I found this stenciled on the wall inside Shibuya station last weekend.


Translation:
'[SIZE="4"]YOKOSO!(tm) [/SIZE][SIZE="4"]TO THE COUNTRY OF COMMON SENSE[/SIZE]'

[Iraira]

I found this stenciled on the wall inside Shibuya station last weekend.


Translation:
'[SIZE="4"]YOKOSO!(tm) [/SIZE][SIZE="4"]TO THE COUNTRY OF COMMON SENSE[/SIZE]'

Nice to see. Reminds me of the Robbie Conal posters that were all over LA in the 1980s.