Posted on 09/29/2025 10:33:57 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Japan’s next Prime Minister could shape the region’s future.
On October 4, 2025, Japan will choose its fourth prime minister in five years, since Shigeru Ishiba resigned after only a year in office due to internal pressures within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Although leadership changes in a parliamentary system are common, the process comes at a time of economic uncertainty and social transformations in Japanese society, which are paired with increasing geopolitical tensions around the Asia–Pacific region.
As a Latin-American who lived in Japan during COVID-19, I find myself pondering on the implications of Shinzo Abe’s assassination, the rise of lobbying accusations, and the unveiling of a power-connected cult, all against the backdrop of a permanent state of elections. In parallel, the dominant LDP faces a changing political landscape, which might challenge its dominance in the future—as newly formed parties gain momentum.
All of these issues raise the question of how the next prime minister will steer domestic and foreign policy into a new era. Two leading candidates with very particular profiles are already shaping expectations as they navigate a complex Asia–Pacific region. Japan is becoming a stronger player in international politics, with a renewed security policy, increasing military activity, and cooperation. The world should keep an eye on this process, understanding its logic, background, and possible consequences.
The Fourth Minister and the Two Candidates
Shinzo Abe resigned in 2020 for health reasons as the country was dealing with the undermining pressures of COVID-19’s uncertainty. Abe’s administration, which took place in two periods—a one-year appointment from 2006 to 2007 and his longer tenure from 2012 to 2020—gave stability to a country still dealing with the consequences of “the lost decades,” the Tohoku 2011 earthquake, and the global crisis of 2008. Before Abe, Japan had also faced an era of revolving prime...
(Excerpt) Read more at fee.org ...
A Japanese ,LOL
The weekend before the Tuesday he died, Charlie Kirk gave speeches in South Korea and Japan. I watched the one from South Korea and was incredibly impacted:
https://youtu.be/cQCofPV-CcI?feature=shared
Japan goes through one government after another, for decades, but nothing really changes. Japan is due for a revolution, but I am not betting on the outcome; we may not like it.
Sanae Takaichi will win, because the LDP know they sold out to globalist money and Rahm Emmanuel and have been talking about increased immigration, which is why Japan has turned to Sanseito and Kokumin. Koizumi is popular because of his dad, but it’s not a GOOD popularity.
They need Takaichi to pull women voters to the LDP, but I think the horse is out to pasture and Kokumin and Sanseito’s power will grow until there’s a Sanseito or Kokumin PM, probably Tamaiki, because he’ll get a lot of Rikken votes.
Which candidate supports Japan being able to defend itself militarily?
Which all means they will end up with what?
Which all means they will end up with what?
>Which candidate supports Japan being able to defend itself militarily?
I don’t know if Sanae is that far right, but the Sanseito Party has definitely said they’re interested with China nextdoor. If America shows less support for Japan and Taiwan, you might see that change.
We know that Japan is in its biggest military buildup since WWII and that the Pacific and NATO are slowly seeing the China threats as a common threat.
Does any party there oppose that?
Well, Japanese were very non political until very recently and that’s because of the recent 10% consumption tax, foreigners using their medical system for nothing, and all the immigration. China isn’t on most Japanese minds currently, unless it’s the crime committed by chinese living in Japan.
This article is pretty thin gruel.
Yeah, “I’m a writer from chile, who lived in Japan.”
Wow, do you speak the language? No. Do you speak to Japanese about it? No. Do you know much about Japanese politics? No. But thanks to AI you can still get a summative statement!
Yeah, “I’m a writer from chile, who lived in Japan.”
Wow, do you speak the language? No. Do you speak to Japanese about it? No. Do you know much about Japanese politics? No. But thanks to AI you can still get a summative statement!
Yeah, “I’m a writer from chile, who lived in Japan.”
Wow, do you speak the language? No. Do you speak to Japanese about it? No. Do you know much about Japanese politics? No. But thanks to AI you can still get a summative statement!
That can’t be true, politics and the China threat has unleashed massive amounts of national wealth into the largest military buildup since WWII for Japan.
Japan has also just sent fighter jets to Europe for the first time, in support of NATO while NATO is starting to operate in the Pacific.
| Agree. The writer's analysis is sophomoric. Indeed, her bio mentions she's still going to school. But it was a good effort. The emergence of the Sanseito party is stirring up the politics in Japan. And living in Japan (as resident alien) for the last 3 years ( wife is a Japan national), I am struggling to understand what's going on. Actually the week before Charlie Kirk died, he visited South Korea and Japan. And he even met with Souhei Kamiya, the leader of Sanseito, whose unofficial motto is "Make Japan Great Again". The Japanese people are highly conservative and patriotic already. Their manufacturing and commercial intelligence is among the best in the world. The country is highly law-abiding and safe to live in. Yet the Japanese are struggling to control their future amid the tremendous social and national turmoil shaking the foundations of life in Europe and America. A key issue is dominance of the news media by a group of newspaper giants. I often see NHK News on TV and my hunch is the reporting on events in Trump's America are colored by the local media's bond with U.S. mainstream Fake News. For example, we sometimes see the face of ABC's David Muir when it's time to comment on American developments. Likewise, I notice Tokyo Disneyland seems to get a lot of free publicity on NHK. Fortunately Sanseito's leader gave a one hour press conference to the Foreign Correspondent's Club of Japan which provided English voice translation. Shortly I plan to transcribe parts of the one hour interview and post on FR. |
"foreigners using their medical system for nothing"
I celebrated my 40th year in Japan the day before yesterday . I support Sanseito 100% . Want to support any pro-Japan gatherings here in Kumamoto but can’t find any info on any or even know if such gatherings are being planned .
| Glad to hear you're behind the Sanseito shake up, sushiman. Trump is showing the world how to protect a nation's high tech workers. See today's FR post: US to overhaul H1B visa process before 2026: US commerce secy. Got a feeling this is exactly what Sanseito is talking about. There's a big difference between welcoming elder care workers from Indonesia -- a good thing, versus hiring Indian techies to fill highly skilled jobs where there are plenty of Japanese workers who qualify. Japan can gain a lot by simply following many of the Trump teams' great ideas. If that's how Sanseito plans to roll, their going to gain more influence. P.S. I missed your friend's Beatles-style band playing in Kumomoto. If you have the Youtube link, please send it my way... どうもありがとうございます。 |
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