Koizumi Dissolves Japan Parliament House

[Trek234]

TOKYO - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi ordered the lower house of Japan's Parliament dissolved Friday, paving the way for national elections that he's counting on to strengthen his party.
....
Before that, the charismatic prime minister wants a bill extending Japan's military support of the U.S.-led war on terrorism in Afghanistan passed. The bill was expected to be approved Friday.


More: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=535&ncid=535&e=7&u=/ap/20031010/ap_on_re_as/japan_elections

This doesn't sound good...

[BiggJawn]

1. Is that the same house that I see the picture of having the free-for-all?

With the young woman in the short skirt standing on the table trying to swat someone while fist-fights go on all around?

THAT house?

Can't blame him. Who do they think they are, Italians? :-)

[Trek234]

4. Is that the same Senate that allowed countless thousands to die?

THAT house?

Can't blame him.

(yes, we all know the Japanese are liberal sexualy... maybe too much)

How would you feel if Bush decided tomorrow to dissolve the Senate because it wouldn't go along with him?

I can't understand how you can support this nazi style tactic of dissolving an entire house in a DEMOCRATIC government. Especially in a nation that has a sizeable amount of people with power who would like to see it return to war path mode.

[Sick of Bullshit]

5. I have no idea what you're talking about

1) It's not uncommon to dissolve the House in Japan-- nearly all of Koizumi's predecessors did it at one time or another. Koizumi's just been re-elected as president of his party, so a general election is a natural outcome of that. Before there is a general (House) election, the Parliament is dissolved. That's right-- Japan has a Parliamentary system.

2) For the most part, Japanese are not sexually liberal. Pornographic magazines and videos are required by law to hide the naughty bits. Most women do not start sexual relations until they are in their 20s, and even then they seem to have a "take it or leave it" attitude. The Pill wasn't even available in Japan until a couple of years ago. And it is not uncommon for married couples to sleep in separate beds!

3) "The same Senate that allowed countless thousands to die?" Just what are you referring to here?

[Art_from_Ark]

8. Dissolving the Diet

Yeah, lots of PMs have dissolved the Diet (the proper term for the Japanese Parliament). Mori did before his vote of no confidence. I don't know if his predecessor, Obuchi, did it, since he died before anything happened under his Cabinet (administration). I'd have to check about previous prime ministers.

And as far as Japanese sexuality goes, I guess one could say that as a general rule, there is more sex education, and less sexuality here. They are more liberal when it comes to things like abortion, sex education, and homosexuality, and you can easily pick up a risque magazine in a convenience store and thumb through it if you want. However, if your image of Japan is a land of "geishas", then I think you will be very disappointed.

[NYC]

2. This quote bothers me:

"My platform will become the platform of the LDP when elections are held," Koizumi said. "Party members may debate among themselves, but don't worry — in the end they will cooperate with my policies."

[Trek234]

3. Yup

You can tell he's been associating with the BFEE.

[Art_from_Ark]

7. I'd like to read what he said in the original Japanese

Sometimes the translation sounds more sinister than the original.

However, saying that, Koizumi's head DOES seem to be getting a little bigger these days. And his push for sending SDF overseas is rather unsettling.

[Sick of Bullshit]

6. Typical Japanese polito-speak

They all say this. Koizumi's president of the LDP. The platform was hammered out in the backroom before his reelection, Koizumi's platform is thus the platform of the LDP. Those who don't like it will likely form their own splinter party, or join one of the other parties.

[Art_from_Ark]

11. Joining other parties

There was an interesting program on Japanese TV last Sunday called "Manifesto" in which they were interviewing Naoto Kan, the head of the ShinMinshu-to ("New Democratic Party"), which is now the main opposition party to the ruling LDP. Those of you who are sick of Russet et al would have found the program a welcome relief. The moderator asked Kan and another man (the head of the Jiyu-to, itself composed of some disaffected LDP members, which recently merged with Kan's party) about their views and plans for their party's future, and they were allowed to talk without interruption. Kan does have some sensible programs, and he seems to be gaining popularity. Some Japanese I know think that Kan could pull off some surprises in the upcoming election.

[ReadTomPaine]

9. I wonder what the future of the JDF is. Will we see Japanese nukes?

[Art_from_Ark]

10. I hope not

As for the JSDF, I think we'll know more about that after the elections next month.