Goodbye, Abe

contentions ^ | 7.30.2007 | Gordon G. Chang

[Contentions]

Yesterday, the coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party of Prime Minster Shinzo Abe lost its majority in the Upper House of the Diet, the national legislature. The LDP, with junior partner New Komeito, won 46 seats; its chief rival, the Democratic Party, won 60.

The Japanese sometimes complain that their country is not “normal.” Yet there was nothing out of the ordinary about Sunday’s landslide against the LDP, which has dominated Japan’s politics since 1955. Unlike Junichiro Koizumi, his charismatic predecessor, Abe presented a cold and diffident face to the average citizen. His central policy goals—improving relations with China and South Korea and bolstering the military capabilities of Japan—are critical tasks for any Japanese leader. But they were not high priorities for voters far more concerned about worrying economic trends.

[Gay State Conservative]

I don’t know anything about Abe but his predecessor,Mr Koizumi,seemed like a cool guy.Anyone with a haircut like his who’d travel half way around the world to visit Graceland is OK in my book.

[wastedyears]

Don’t make your trade agreements with China any better. If I were you, I’d cast a cold, cautious glare towards them. As of now, China can’t be trusted.

[saganite]

Oops. Thought this was a Lincoln thread.