Abe Resigns

[Jeff]

What say our Japan experts?

 

Japan PM Abe resigns due to illness with many issues unresolved

[Ivanhoe]

Not a Japan expert, but vastly better to resign and attempt recovery, than to keel over dead in office.

[Murph]

Japanese markets seem to be in flux, and I agree with Ivanhoe, now a stable succession...

[JasonJ]

He seemed a bit exhausted these last few months. The timing seems fine. Many of the things he was not able to accomplish were sort of impossible things like the DPRK kidnapping problem or resolving the Northern territory with Russia. Among a number of stated failures are more such as abenomics "three arrows" which were to get the GDP above 600 trillion yen or getting the fertility rate on trajectory towards 1.8. Criticism points about the virus handling come from slow distribution of money aid which had two ways for applying for it, snail mail or on the internet. I got my money and it didn't take too long either. The wife made the application for the both of us via snail mail. Another source of criticism was the relatively low number of testing as some people think the large scale testing seen abroad was the better way to go. But he oversaw many challenges particularly in the international space and overall though he did quite well. He maintained a good relationship with Trump. He saw through the reinterpretation of the constitution to enable new defense laws. He promoted the concept of "Indo-Pacific" region since 2007 which serves as the basis for current QUAD related geopolitics. Overall I think general sentiment among the average throughout the population at large is that Abe won't really be missed but just that there really wasn't anyone better so stuck with him.

 

In the article posted by Jeff, it says three possible successors.. Kishida, Suga, and Ishiba. Ishiba is a rival to Abe within the LDP. Kishida is favored by Abe. Suga has been Abe's main spokesperson throughout Abe's term and always remained in the cabinet after each shuffle. But he's quite old now. Other possibilities include Kono who is part of the "Aso faction" (an example of Aso: http://www.tank-net.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=44455&p=1474095 ). Still a little young but there's also Koizumi Shinjiro, son of previous Koizumi Prime Minister, who is sort of similar in being fashionable. His moment may come later rather than now. There are a few other names made. I sort of wonder if the immediate next prime minster might be some one unexpected but of lower status to just serve as temporary transitional role before getting one of the main ticket guys in for the job since of the sudden resignation of Abe.

[Ivanhoe]

He seemed a bit exhausted these last few months. The timing seems fine. Many of the things he was not able to accomplish were sort of impossible things like the DPRK kidnapping problem or resolving the Northern territory with Russia. Among a number of stated failures are more such as abenomics "three arrows" which were to get the GDP above 600 trillion yen or getting the fertility rate on trajectory towards 1.8. Criticism points about the virus handling come from slow distribution of money aid which had two ways for applying for it, snail mail or on the internet. I got my money and it didn't take too long either. The wife made the application for the both of us via snail mail. Another source of criticism was the relatively low number of testing as some people think the large scale testing seen abroad was the better way to go. But he oversaw many challenges particularly in the international space and overall though he did quite well. He maintained a good relationship with Trump. He saw through the reinterpretation of the constitution to enable new defense laws. He promoted the concept of "Indo-Pacific" region since 2007 which serves as the basis for current QUAD related geopolitics. Overall I think general sentiment among the average throughout the population at large is that Abe won't really be missed but just that there really wasn't anyone better so stuck with him.

 

That reads like "praising with faint damns." Sounds like an Abe clone would do a lot of nations a lot of good.

[JasonJ]

 

 

 

That reads like "praising with faint damns." Sounds like an Abe clone would do a lot of nations a lot of good.

 

Yeah, I think he did alright

[Jeff]

Ulcerative Colitis is one of the secondary effects of my auto immune issue. It can really get at you after a while if you don't have it under control. One of the worst things for it is stress.

[JWB]

Ulcerative Colitis is one of the secondary effects of my auto immune issue. It can really get at you after a while if you don't have it under control. One of the worst things for it is stress.

I have that disease. It is very unpredictable. I have had flare ups that lasted a few weeks. The worst happened after mom died. The treatments are awful. Lie on your left side and insert:

 

[Jeff]

I use Humira.

[Tim the Tank Nut]

If stress is an issue I can't think TankNet is a good idea. Still, we are glad you are here.

[JasonJ]

If stress is an issue I can't think TankNet is a good idea. Still, we are glad you are here.

Thought this too.

[Jeff]

 

If stress is an issue I can't think TankNet is a good idea. Still, we are glad you are here.

Thought this too.

 

 

Thanks! I can walk away from this. Family and work stress are the big trouble.

[JasonJ]

 

 

If stress is an issue I can't think TankNet is a good idea. Still, we are glad you are here.

 

Thought this too.

Thanks! I can walk away from this. Family and work stress are the big trouble.

Actually, I bet even WoT is more stressful than TN

 

JWB still hangs around here too

[Stargrunt6]

 

Ulcerative Colitis is one of the secondary effects of my auto immune issue. It can really get at you after a while if you don't have it under control. One of the worst things for it is stress.

 

I have that disease. It is very unpredictable. I have had flare ups that lasted a few weeks. The worst happened after mom died. The treatments are awful. Lie on your left side and insert:

 

BTDT when they thiught my diverticulitis might be crohns colitis. Thank God it wasn't crohns. The last bowel prep for scope left me very drained and angry. I'd hate to have to do that q every other year.

[Jeff]

 

 

Ulcerative Colitis is one of the secondary effects of my auto immune issue. It can really get at you after a while if you don't have it under control. One of the worst things for it is stress.

I have that disease. It is very unpredictable. I have had flare ups that lasted a few weeks. The worst happened after mom died. The treatments are awful. Lie on your left side and insert:

 

BTDT when they thiught my diverticulitis might be crohns colitis. Thank God it wasn't crohns. The last bowel prep for scope left me very drained and angry. I'd hate to have to do that q every other year.

 

 

That's me. The prep is the worst.

 

Tanknet, from Abe to colonoscopies.

[JWB]

 

 

Ulcerative Colitis is one of the secondary effects of my auto immune issue. It can really get at you after a while if you don't have it under control. One of the worst things for it is stress.

I have that disease. It is very unpredictable. I have had flare ups that lasted a few weeks. The worst happened after mom died. The treatments are awful. Lie on your left side and insert:

 

BTDT when they thiught my diverticulitis might be crohns colitis. Thank God it wasn't crohns. The last bowel prep for scope left me very drained and angry. I'd hate to have to do that q every other year.

 

I only have to do it every 5.

[JasonJ]

It's down to three offically announced candidates; Suga, Kishida, and Ishiba. There are 7 factions within the LDP plus factionless politicians. Suga is factionless. Kishada and Ishiba are leaders of their respective factions. The other 5 factions reportedly back Suga. So Suga is expected to win. Result by mid Sept. He's expected to carry own pretty much the same as Abe. He seems to have a similar dynamic personality that can genuinely add charm for it (personality wise, Ishiba feels quite different and drier, for example). Suga likes sweet food such as pancakes and not much of an alcohol drinker. But as the spokesperson/secratary sort of position for through Abe's cabinets, he has shown being able to stand firm to various questions in the press confetences. So even though he's old (same as Trump though) he'll probably do ok.

[Jeff]

Thanks for the update!

[JasonJ]

5 hours ago, Jeff said:

Thanks for the update!

You're welcome!

[JasonJ]

Taiwan invites Abe to give a speech at the legislature next year.

Quote

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The East Asia Parliamentary Friendship Association, which is composed of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Kuomintang (KMT) legislators, on Tuesday (Oct. 13) drafted a letter inviting former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit Taiwan next year and give a speech at the Legislative Yuan.

DPP Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文), chairman of the association, held a press conference on Tuesday announcing that the letter to Shinzo Abe welcomed him to visit Taiwan next year and give a speech in the Legislative Yuan.

The letter also thanked Abe for his long-term commitment to promoting continuous exchanges and mutual trust between Taiwan and Japan as well as encouraging mutual assistance between the two peoples. According to Kuo, the letter mentioned that next year will be a very special year, as March 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake, while the summer will see both the Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympic Games held in Japan, CNA reported.

Kuo pointed out that he hopes to deepen bilateral relations by following the successful model of Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil's recent visit to Taiwan and the past visit of former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) to Japan. Kuo noted that Abe's physical condition has declined but stated that after a year of recuperation, he would be in good enough shape for a visit.

DPP Legislator Lin Chu-yin (林楚茵) said that he is very happy the KMT support this initiative, adding that it was great to see legislators from both parties working together to improve Taiwan-Japan relations.

 

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4029102

 

[Murph]

Interesting, thanks for sharing that.  Keep us updated please.

[JasonJ]

1 hour ago, Murph said:

Interesting, thanks for sharing that.  Keep us updated please.

I'll keep trying that.

[JasonJ]

At the Michigan rally on October 18th, Trump spoke very well about Abe and car plants coming into the state station at 14:05

 

That part was highlighted.

 

[JasonJ]

Trump awards Abe, as well as Morrison and Modi, with the Legion of Merit. 

Quote

U.S. President Donald Trump has awarded the prestigious Legion of Merit to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his "leadership and vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," the U.S. government said Monday.

The medal was also presented to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "elevating the U.S.-India strategic partnership" and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for "addressing global challenges and promoting collective security," the National Security Council said on Twitter.

“President @realDonaldTrump awarded the Legion of Merit to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his leadership and vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Ambassador Sugiyama @JapanEmbDC accepted the medal on behalf of Prime Minister Abe.” – NSA Robert C. O’Brien pic.twitter.com/HnjYS14m3L

— NSC (@WHNSC) December 21, 2020

The United States, Australia, India and Japan have been working together toward a "free and open Indo-Pacific" by holding meetings under the "Quad" framework, a grouping which the Trump administration has viewed as helpful to counter China's growing clout in the region.

Abe stepped down in September due to health reasons after serving as prime minister for nearly eight years. He forged a close relationship with Trump, who took office in 2017.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) claps, alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as they watch the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 26, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese Ambassador to the United States Shinsuke Sugiyama received the medal on behalf of Abe, according to the NSC.

The Legion of Merit is given to uniformed U.S. military service members and military and political figures of foreign governments for outstanding services and achievements.

 

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/12/55dee8abbacd-trump-awards-legion-of-merit-to-japans-abe-india-australia-pms.html

Edited December 24, 2020 by JasonJ

[JasonJ]

A bit uncanny timing but a recent item about the Abe visiting Taiwan topic.

Quote

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — In a recent interview, former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo expressed a desire to visit the final resting place of Taiwan's first popularly elected president, Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), "if conditions allow."

The Sankei Shimbun interviewed Abe on Wednesday (July 28) ahead of the first anniversary of Lee's death. The "father of democracy" passed away on July 30, 2020, at the age of 97. His death was met with condolences from international leaders friendly to Taiwan, including Abe, the Dalai Lama, and then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The day after Lee's passing, Abe expressed "profound sadness," saying the former president had made tremendous contributions to the amicable relationship between Taiwan and Japan.

During Wednesday's interview, Abe recalled his interactions with Lee since 1994, saying that no other leader in the world had cared for the well-being of Japan as much as Lee.

Japan's longest-serving prime minister then expressed his desire to visit Lee's grave "if conditions allow." He said he would take the state of the COVID-19 pandemic into consideration before planning the trip.

Lee was buried at a national cemetery for veterans and high-ranking officials on the outskirts of Taipei.

This is not the first time Abe has expressed his wish to visit Taiwan since leaving office. In late 2020, East Asia Parliamentary Friendship Association head Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) revealed that Abe was willing to fly to the country as soon as 2021, at the invitation of seven Taiwanese legislators belonging to various parties.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Wednesday expressed gratitude for Abe's amity toward Taiwan and its former president. In a statement, it welcomed Abe's visit and offered all necessary assistance to make the trip happen.

 

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4260403