tsurara

The Japanese Prime Minster announced that he will resign 10 minutes ago...

I found the news surfing yahoo.co.jp and told my co-workers, who all couldn't believe it... then we told the students during cleaning time. There's going to be a press conference soon...

I don't know if you guy's realize the impact of this... but it's sort of like President Bush announcing he isn't going to be the president anymore: only Japan lacks the office of "Vice President", so there's no obvious candidate to replace Abe.

Imagine having a president in the morning, then having none come the afternoon O_o;

I'm overjoyed, by the way... Abe was a fantastic neo-conservative idiot.

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Mechazawa

So there are people dancing in the streets all over Japan righ now?

I think the W some how had a hand in this, the same way Tony Blair stepped down.

Isn't that job over there just a figure head position like it has been here?

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aceman67

Are you sure there's no Deputy Prime Minister?

This may come as a shock to you, but The world doesn't revolve around the Untied States. To say that Bush had a hand in his resignation is, well... Just plain stupidity.

I just read an article that said he resigned because of his Low popularity ratings and extreme political opposition to his agenda in Afganistan.

And no, Japan's Government is a Constitutional Monarchy. They have an Emporer, but all day to day (All of it really) running of the country is handled by the Country's Parliament.

Other countries with this type of Government include: Canada and Australia (Both hold Queen Elizabeth II as their Monarch)

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tsurara

Abe is a nationalist and supports the remilitarization of Japan. The Bush Administration has been holding the potential repeal of the Act that has kept Japan from holding an offensive military force since the end of WWII over him in exchange for aid in the "War Against Terrorism". Abe threatened to resign if his bill to have Japanese ships refuel American Ally forces in the Indian Ocean didn't go through... apparently it didn't.

Abe's Administration is also incredibly corrupt and multiple members have been involved in high profile money-laundering crimes, scandals, and a few have resigned before him (one committed suicide).

The job isn't exactly "decorative", but there are upper and lower houses of Parliment who the Prime Minister has to go through in order to make policy. He lost the upper house in the recent elections... but his party still controls the lower house: the house that will choose the new Prime Minister.

This means we're getting rid of Abe... but whoever we do get is likely to also be a nationalist with goals similar to Abe's ~_~;

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Mechazawa

Okay aceman take it easy. I didn't say it in so many worlds but I was actually referring to anyone that comes into contact or having dealings with the W seems to have the need to "step down".

Blair stepped down because of low popularity and why was that because of the W.

The world may not revolve around it, but that doesn't mean the US isn't a big part of it.


Jeez, where is the Major and Section 9 when you need them?

Anyway Ugh, that sounds like lovely goings on over there. Don't you wish you lived back over here, where the main point of focus is how awful Britney was at the VMAs?

*throws up a little*

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aceman67

In all honesty, I think Article 9 in japan's constitution should be amended.

While my grandfather served in the Pacific Theater during World War II (He was at Perl Harbor, served at Midway and Iwo Jima), its been over 60 years, and in today's world, Japan should stand on its own feet.

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syd

I agree too. that law needs to be amended. I just hate it when the US tries to keep of everything.

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tsurara

The trouble with this is that Japan still harbors quite a few radical nationalist groups who have been gaining in power and popularity and has lost none of the sheeplike tendencies that lead it into WWII in the first place. In embracing "victimhood" after the war, Japan has effectively avoided ever accepting responsibility for it.

A major political figure was recently forced to step down after public outcry following a statement that implied the US bombing of Hiroshima was "justified".

The segment about the entire Japanese "Greater East Asia Expansion" (spanning 2 decades) is 4 pages long in Junior High history books and refers to Nanking as "an incident". The section on Hiroshima (1 day) is 12 pages long (it also covers 6 pages of their English textbook and 7 in their Japanese textbook).

Repealing Article 9 entirely is potentially INCREDIBLY dangerous... especially considering the tensions between Japan, North Korea and China. If Japan were allowed to hold an offensive arsenal: they easily have the capacity to develop nuclear weapons... do we really want more of those in the world?

Very little has actually changed since before WWII... some political groups actually still fly the rising sun battleflag.

It may be true that Japan needs MORE power over it's defense... but I don't think a nationalist group is who we need to oversee that development.

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Hassun

Any news on the replacement? I mean Abe was a very conservative person but I don't want someone even more right winged to take his place either.

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aceman67

Japan already has an offensive Arsenal: The Self Defense Force. The only difference is how its being currently used.

Japan's military is very well equipped, most of their arms are either on par, or exceed that of the US. if they wanted to, they could fight a war, and very effectively at that.

The only thing Japan lacks right now is Naval Air Power, something that is pretty much a pre-requisite to maintaining any modern large scale conflict, and why Japan was so successful in the opening stages of WWII.

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Mechazawa

I don't really think it matters if its repealed or not, there is nothing that could make me believe that Japan doesn't already have nuclear weapons. Countries with citizens that don't have two sticks to rub together have nukes.

In this day and age there shouldn't be a need for any nation to be armed to the teeth with weapons. Maybe I'm blind to it, but other than "terrorist/nutso dictators(W included)", no countries are in a made dash to increase their power over the world or territory.

Sure countries need defense for the what ifs that may happen, but other than that. *shrugs*

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