Fucked PM AssHole!

[TFG]

Prime minister AssHole is to dissolve the upper house on July 21st with election on Aug 30th!

Obviously, the Sunday elections forced his hand amongst strong calls for him to resign within his own LDP party.

This fool obviously is still under the mistaken impression he can win an election! Perhaps, democracy will come to Japan at last after apart from a few months, the LDP crime syndicate has ruled for nearly 50 years becoming stagnant and even more corrupt.

[Ketou]

Perhaps, democracy will come to Japan at last after apart from a few months, the LDP crime syndicate has ruled for nearly 50 years becoming stagnant and even more corrupt.

Democracy in Japan? Not in our lifetime...

[TFG]

Democracy in Japan? Not in our lifetime...

There is that possibility also!
Are the J-Cops now going to arrest Hatoyama's secretary and try to save the LDP crime syndicate again!

[FG Lurker]

Perhaps, democracy will come to Japan at last after apart from a few months, the LDP crime syndicate has ruled for nearly 50 years becoming stagnant and even more corrupt.

Careful what you wish for, the DPJ running Japan is a scarier thought than the continuation of the LDP.

If the DPJ does get into power (which seems likely, unfortunately) it will be another short jaunt away from the LDP where the new guys will fuck the country up royally before getting the boot again.

I'm no LDP fan but voting in someone worse isn't the solution to the problem either.

[canman]

Do you really believe that the DPJ can be any worse than the LDP. I think they will try to do a better job, than the bunch of hacks we have now. They are generally younger and more liberal minded than the old farts that populate the LDP. Let's give them a try, what is he worst that can happen? Things are pretty fucked as they stand.

[Yokohammer]

It's a crapshoot to be sure, but change – any change – is probably better than keeping things the way they are.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed ...

[TFG]

I personally would sooner see the Socialist party win big time.
However, with that woman at the helm of the party in this country with it's male domination mind set, it is just never going to happen.

I also think it is rather naive to believe the Minshuto can be any worse than the LDP and fortunately that seems to be the general consensus amongst the Japanese electorate. At the very least, Hatoyama's party is set to give the vote to foreigners with permanent residence, which can't be bad now can it?
I believe Taxation without representation was one of the main reasons the US kicked the Brits out, and how many hundreds of years ago was that?

Japan still has a lot to learn.

[gomichild]

ERECTION FEEEVA! Wheeeeeee!

[Typhoon]

I wonder if it really matters which part is in power as the real power behind the throne is the J-govt bureaucracy.

[Taro Toporific]

ERECTION FEEEVA! Wheeeeeee!

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INVEST IN EARPLUGS![/SIZE]

[FG Lurker]

Do you really believe that the DPJ can be any worse than the LDP.

For international business, yes, I think they will be worse than the LDP. As Japan's economic foundation is exports this is not a good thing. Before the world starts monkeying around and thinking about new reserve currencies or IMF bonds we need to get things stabilized.

As far as Japan's domestic politics go I don't expect them to be better or worse. Do you really think they'll have the balls to reform the pension or health care systems? Both are totally fucked and there is no way they will tackle them in any sort of meaningful way.

[FG Lurker]

At the very least, Hatoyama's party is set to give the vote to foreigners with permanent residence, which can't be bad now can it?

No country should give the vote to non-citizens. Perhaps local city counsel level votes, but not national level. The CITIZENS of a country should decide how their country is run.

However I would like to see Japan allow dual nationalities. I'd apply for a Japanese passport very quickly if I could legally keep my Canadian one as well.

I believe Taxation without representation was one of the main reasons the US kicked the Brits out, and how many hundreds of years ago was that?

There are absolutely no similarities. If you were a Japanese citizen and were denied the vote because you weren't born here then you could draw some parallels but non-citizens shouldn't be voting in national elections.

Japan still has a lot to learn.

I won't argue that but I'll add that you do too.

[Takechanpoo]

Powers backing LDP are America and Rockefeller, as you know.
Ones backing DPJ are China and Rothchild.

good bye Uncle Sam

[Failsafe]

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INVEST IN EARPLUGS![/SIZE]

or AirSoft™.

[IkemenTommy]

Can someone please explain to me what the difference between DPJ and LDP? DPJ complains how shitty LDP handles the country while LDP has no clear objective how to lead the country. Until then, all of this is white noise. Seriously, STFU with the loudspeakers trucks. I want to sleep in on the weekends peacefully.

[Doctor Stop]

Can someone please explain to me what the difference between DPJ and LDP?

There isn't that much difference. Most DPJers are ex-LDPers, including Hatoyama.

[Coligny]

Powers backing LDP are America and Rockefeller, as you know.
Ones backing DPJ are China and Rothchild.

good bye Uncle Sam

Troll rating C-, you didn't even manage to place The Bilderberg group, Carlyle group or the lizard men...

[FG Lurker]

Nagoya Mayor Says 'Wrong' Policies May Cost LDP Japan Election
Bloomberg, July 14, 2009

"The government says Japan is going bankrupt because of its huge debt, but this is propaganda," Kawamura said in an interview on July 10 in Nagoya, Japan's fourth-largest city and the major urban center that's closest to Toyota Motor Corp.'s headquarters. "How can a nation fail when there is excessive savings in banks?"

Kawamura, who was a member of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan in the House of Representatives before becoming mayor in April, said the government could issue more bonds because the savings rate of Japanese individuals can support the policy. Japan's public debt, the world's largest, was 846 trillion yen ($9.1 trillion) as of March 31, while the country's household financial assets totaled 1,400 trillion yen.

The debt will approach 200 percent of gross domestic product in 2010, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Prime Minister Taro Aso's Cabinet this month set next fiscal year's budget ceiling for general spending at an unprecedented 52.7 trillion yen.

"The LDP's policy of cutting government spending to rebuild financial discipline was fundamentally wrong," Kawamura, 51, said. "That's why they lost the support of the people after winning a landslide in 2005."

(Full Story)

Yes, yes, I do think the DPJ is even more fucked than the LDP. Likely by a considerable margin in fact.

[Greji]

Troll rating C-, you didn't even manage to place The Bilderberg group, Carlyle group or the lizard men...

Ahh, come on Coligny! Ya gotta at least give him a C+, he's trying hard.....

[FG Lurker]

As far as Japan's domestic politics go I don't expect them to be better or worse.

Well, I was wrong.

Not only is the DPJ looking to fuck things up internationally (talking about new reserve currencies, buying IMF bonds, SOFA changes, etc) but they're promising to fuck things up domestically too.

Making promises to give away lots of shit for free but no realistic way to pay for it. No road tolls! Remove the gasoline tax! Increase pension payments! Sure, nice ideas and all, but how the hell is road maintenance going to be paid for? Who is going to pay for higher pension payments? What about paying for the rest of their promises?

It's all bullshit pie in the sky. Japan has the highest debt/GDP ratio of any major economy and even now is selling JGBs like crazy instead of balancing budgets and reducing debt.

Maybe they're planning to pay for it all with a Euro-style 20% VAT...? Grrrrrrreat.

Hong Kong is looking more and more attractive as a place to live.

[Hikonejou]

Well, the sad thing about any Prime Minister that or any Political Party that takes over Japan, is the fact that they are at the mercy of 2 Super Powers:

1. The United States (which has several Military Bases in Japan)

2. PPRC (China) which is now the chief exporter in the world.

As much as Japan would like to build a Carrier Fleet and design their own version of an F-22 (probably more high tech than American crap designs), America will just step in and tell them "No, don't even think about it. We'll handle the situation."

So, it renders Japan (excuse my French) "Fucked".

Prime Ministers and their Political Parties will be limited to just pointless bickering and internal affairs, sex scandals, drunk sake tipping, and all that "Banzai, Banzai, Banzai" to no end.

The Real Last Samurai's all died in WWII.

[Greji]

Well, the sad thing about any Prime Minister that or any Political Party that takes over Japan, is the fact that they are at the mercy of 2 Super Powers:

1. The United States (which has several Military Bases in Japan)

2. PPRC (China) which is now the chief exporter in the world.

As much as Japan would like to build a Carrier Fleet and design their own version of an F-22 (probably more high tech than American crap designs), America will just step in and tell them "No, don't even think about it. We'll handle the situation."

So, it renders Japan (excuse my French) "Fucked".

Prime Ministers and their Political Parties will be limited to just pointless bickering and internal affairs, sex scandals, drunk sake tipping, and all that "Banzai, Banzai, Banzai" to no end.

The Real Last Samurai's all died in WWII.

I think you have it the other way around. The US has been after Japan to arm and to develop their military for quite awhile now. This is dating back from when I was still in the military and they're still moving at a snail's pace. GOJ is quite happy with the Security Pact in that the US shoulders the majority of the responsibility (and money, regardless of what the Yatto would like you to believe).

It is of course, advantageous for the US to have their bases here, but if they did not, think of the outlay and change in defense lifestyle that would hit Japan in a flash.

Now it is easy for them to sit back and say, "Well, our pacifist constitution....." and that answers all questions for them. Let the Yanks worry about it. If they tell the US to pack up and leave, what happens when they have a real threat i.e. when brother Kim and family lob one down range again? "Who ya gonna call?"

I think the entire northern Pacific region would become unbalanced. There are a lot of Japanese that are now re-thinking the move of the elements of the Third Herd from Okinawa to Guam. It has finally sunk in that if the US goes completely, their supporting companies, businesses and even some of the non DOD business are going to bail with them. Not good timing for the current economic run.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

I'm with Greji...
I shudder to think what Japan would be like militarily if it was allowed to act on its own again. Terrifying!8-O

[FG Lurker]

Do you really believe that the DPJ can be any worse than the LDP.

Was thinking of this thread earlier today as the DPJ continues to make a royal mess out of things. They have no fucking clue what they're doing and things are just getting worse.

DPJ's Communication Problems
Seeking Alpha, October 5, 2009

• Finance Minister Hirohisa Fujii (as well as BOJ Governor Shirakawa) basically gave the green light for currency traders to test how far the yen could appreciate. Minister Fujii is now back-tracking and making noises about possible intervention.
  -
• Financial Affairs Minister Shizuka Kamei promised a moratorium on debt repayments for small businesses, which hurt the stock prices of financial firms beginning with the banks. The government is now trying to paper over these comments.
  -
• Land and Transport Minister Seiji Maehara first appeared to take a hard line vis-a-vis saving the national flag carrier, Japan Airlines. [...] He was forced to come out and publicly state in an "emergency" press conference that the government was committed to saving JAL after the stock price plummeted further and overseas business partners were beginning to withdraw credit.
  -
• The perceived upshot of new DPJ policy measures is that they will first hurt GDP growth, at a time when Japan can little afford to lose more economic growth. The Nikkei estimated that the policies would shave GDP growth by 0.2% in FY2010.
  -
• PM Hatoyama's bold promise for a greenhouse gas reduction target of 25% and the DPJ's decision to principle ban temporary workers for manufacturing jobs has Japanese businessmen flustered and concerned. [...] Some think-tank gurus are now predicting a new production shift [...] forcing Japanese companies to again hollow out domestic production capacity.
  -
• All of these concerns were recently reflected in a Nikkei (Japan Economic Journal) survey of 100 Japanese CEOs. Nearly 40% of these CEOs now see a "high to somewhat high" chance of a double dip in Japan's recovery

(Full Story)

No. Fucking. Clue. They've been in power for TWO WEEKS! How much damage are they going to do before the next elections roll around?

It's going to be a rough few years.

[Mulboyne]

It's going to be a rough few years.

I wouldn't disagree. On the other hand, it's an important dialogue to have. Voters in most countries would like to have their cake and eat it and Japanese voters are no different. There is not always an intelligent public discussion about the consequences of certain policies so voters aren't really aware of the social costs and benefits. Certainly, no-one could argue that electorates in other countries are so much better informed but there are more policy debates. If the DPJ goes for crowd-pleasing legislation which then causes disruption, at least it will oblige people to consider what their priorities really are.

[Doctor Stop]

They've been in power for TWO WEEKS!

One thing I'll admit about the LDP is that they could even fuck things up even more if they were given that two weeks.

[FG Lurker]

One thing I'll admit about the LDP is that they could even fuck things up even more if they were given that two weeks.

Really? How? I'd love to see some examples of how you think the LDP would have handled the above scenarios worse than the DPJ has.

[American Oyaji]

Politics is based on philosophy. Unfortunately, the philosophies cannot be tested except through application sometimes. Sometimes, you think something might be a good idea and then find out that the reaction isn't what you're expecting because the reaction is from a large group of individuals and that creates a number of random interactions that can't be tracked.

[nottu]

[FG Lurker]

Politics is based on philosophy. Unfortunately, the philosophies cannot be tested except through application sometimes. Sometimes, you think something might be a good idea and then find out that the reaction isn't what you're expecting because the reaction is from a large group of individuals and that creates a number of random interactions that can't be tracked.

Posting while stoned leads to posts that don't make a whole lot of sense to us non-stoners.

I'm sure there is no shortage of political philosophies with consequences that are difficult to predict prior to implementation. The DPJ's continuous string of blunders are not being caused by any one philosophy though, they just have the unfortunate habit of putting their mouths into high gear while leaving their brains in neutral. Worse, they are doing this when discussing topics that have a huge impact on the economy and country.