Japan's interesting new Prime Minister

[Elizabeth]

True. His plan for revitalizing Japanese economy is not good either. It seems to be the old style pork barrel politics. I think that he was strongly criticized by Koizumi for his economic ideas. Anyway the question is who might replace him? Any ideas?

You mean as LDP leader after losing the next general election ?
I'm pulling for former Defense Minister Koike Yuriko, who Mr. Koizumi supported for prime minister in the party election that chose Aso Taro.


I think we all know who will be the next prime minister.

[sparrowhawk]

Koike Yuriko seems to be a possible choice for the head of the LDP. But again what worries me is her approach to the Yasukuni issue. As far as I remember she pledged that she would worship in the shrine if she was elected. If she really was to do it, with the greatest degree of probability this would cause another diplomatic crisis in the region. The case of Koizumi visits showed that neither the PRC nor South Korea will take it easily. Or is it possible that she would refrain from doing that in order not to disrupt relations with Japan's neighbours?

[Elizabeth]

Koike Yuriko seems to be a possible choice for the head of the LDP.

Actually I don't think Koike is that plausible of a selection. She doesn't have the requisite support in the her own faction, never mind the party, and Koizumi's standing in the LDP may actually work against her. For several reasons, but in a nutshell being seen as a good opportunist for advancing to hugely important top cabinet positions without putting in the due number of elections as a legislator. Making some really boneheaded calls once up there didn't help either.

But again what worries me is her approach to the Yasukuni issue.

True, she is aligned with the younger generation wave of nationalist ideologues in the LDP. A group that also VERY importantly favors Western-style fiscal reforms, deficit reduction through smaller government and tax reform -- which is where my support for her derives. She's also got vast international experience, particularly in the Middle East (having lived in the region as a fluent speaker of Arabic). Although as I said, Koike's meteoric rise in the LDP hierarchy, leaping around from party to party, blowing through various factions, alliances, etc has probably made too many enemies to be considered the front-runner at this point. Who is, of course, is a very good question. Yosano? Ishihara ? Ishiba ? Maybe that's why Aso wasn't replaced in the run up to this election.

[Dogen Z]

I think we all know who will be the next prime minister.

Not if he's implicated with the DPJ Secretary, and it would be extraordinary if he isn't. If his Secretary isn't exonerated and he doesn't step down, then I think voters will completely lose confidence in politics and not vote. The LDP would then win by default and we would have more years of Taro Aso.

[sparrowhawk]

It seems that as for now Ozawa intends to stay and some of the DPJ members support him on this matter...The investigation should clarify the situation.
A different issue - today I listened to a lecture which was given by a Chinese academic on the state of current Sino-Japanese relations. In terms of foreign policy he credited Abe and Aso administrations for improving relationship with the PRC. He criticized China for refusing to have summit meetings with Koizumi and for not giving enough credit to Japan as a democratic and pacifist nation. On the other hand he also pointed out that Japan needs to rethink its attitude towards Taiwan and the history issue. I was just wondering whether some subsequent Japanese administration may do such thing....