Comments on: Junichiro Koizumi, Alex Kerr, and why the global depression might be good for Japan

By: Daniel Fath

Daniel Fath — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:31:05 +0000

I don’t want to get all pessimistic, but when politicians lose the respect of the people and the armed forces, bad things happen. Healthy nationalism is good for a country; the type of unhealthy, inward-looking nationalism we had with the Bush administration and that we have with Putin is dangerous because the idiots who subscribe to it will never admit they’re wrong until it’s too late. Getting back to Japan … Anyone notice the Gen. Tamogami DVDs in their local bookstore? Right there at the front counter, folks.

Koizumi intended to destroy the LDP in order to save it. He failed to complete the job, and we’re paying for that now. Let’s hope there’s a core group of politicians with the guts and balls to take on the bureaucracy, eliminate the shadow budget and put this country on a new track.

By: Roblogger

Roblogger — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:04:40 +0000

I have heard this theory of Koizumi’s return from a few sources now, and it seems to me that at face value it might seem like a way for the LDP to gain some votes. But is Koizumi really that popular these days? Can the root of some of the problems facing Japan today be traced back to the Koizumi era???

By: Damon Coulter

Damon Coulter — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:58:22 +0000

I give Aso to April then he will be purged at some low ebb of popularity and, completely misreading the reality of his grip on power and the LDP`s collective fear of losing that grip will call a snap election, as Koizumi did for Postal privatisation; lose spectacularly and let in the DPJ who will (due to lack of practice at least as much the fact that they are basically the same bunch of imagination-free, self-interest stoking, out-of touch, upper-class old men as the LDP -many of whom were once LDP members) screw it up in two years. Then the population, who don`t really know what to do with the democracy they have been given, will run back to the LDP, chasened and scared, promising never to leave for the wilderness of political change again.
What I feel though is that the LDP will be improved by the pause in its power, an Obama moment will need to be found: a new face and voice that speaks more honestly and with greater respect to the people who will have a sudden understanding that the people they vote for (have always voted for and will always vote for probably) are at the end accountable to them. The LDP next time round will be younger, less cock-sure and maybe a better party and as the “scared of change” electorate die off the mix and swap of real choice between parties will develop and we may actually get a real democracy where power does not have time to corrupt and grow as desperate as it has been allowed to do here for the last 50 years.
Just my 2 yen`s worth.
Damon

By: tony

tony — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:41:41 +0000

Billywest: was only thinking of a relatively revolutionary revolution really.

By: billywest

billywest — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:40:22 +0000

It’s obvious that a major system overhaul will come only after the system completely crashes, resulting in disaster. Unfortunately, revolutionaries (who they are is anyone’s guess) can only start the revolution by hastening such a crash. Trying to change minds is a waste of time given how slow anything is to change around here.

By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:19:55 +0000

I don’t really think Koizumi could, or even wants to , pull off a Kadima-style, but it would be interesting and better than returning through the LDP.

As far as right, I guess I meant “really right-wing”. The various ultra-nationalist groups set up shop in front of my station with speakers from time-to-time. I don’t think they could actually govern, but a swing further to the right could happen. Fear will do that sometimes, but I do hope not.

I’m just talking here, and don’t know enough specifics, but I have a hard time picturing a populist left coming in to clean house.

By: tony

tony — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:06:31 +0000

MJG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzZ6GsSpsUQ

ourmaninabiko: not to many photogenic politicians in Japan, luckily :) (but serious point taken)

Ted: intriguing point about Koizumi and some new party. I guess there is a chance change might come from the right, but bear in mind that 2 of the 3 discredited PMs (Abe and Aso) have been right-wing “bochan”.

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:41:04 +0000

I agree that the credibility of the political leadership has hit a new low and Kerr’s point about a crisis being needed force the issue seems correct. Japan has had periods of popular uprising, and more recently than people think (e.g., against SOFA in the early 60′s).

So, take the next step and what might happen in the case of a true governing crisis and a popular repudiation of the status quo?

If Koizumi doesn’t rescue the LDP (I agree, a bad outcome, just more of the same again.) Then, what might be next? Koizumi leading some non-LDP new centrist party of elements from LDP and DPJ? (I’m thinking something like Israel’s Kadima party.)

Other options, if the current crop were truly swept out, who would fill the void? I suspect a revolution/major realignment would come from the right, not the left. Ascendant populist nationalism wouldn’t be any treat either. Call me a pessimist.

Oh, and nice shot of K’s smile there.

By: ourmaninabiko

ourmaninabiko — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:38:14 +0000

Be careful what you wish for. These tossers may be incompetent wastes of space, but imagine what would happen if you had a photogenic efficient evil so and so

By: MJG

MJG — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:46:12 +0000

Viva la revolucion!!