This week: how did Abe Shinzo get back into the PM’s office, why did he not fall flat on his face once again once he did, and what are some of the distinguishing features of his policies? We’re covering everything from LDP internal elections to macroeconomic policy to social conservatism, so buckle up — this is gonna be a fun one.
Sources
Harris, Tobias. The Iconoclast: Shinzo Abe and the New Japan.
Koide, Reiko. “Critical New Stage in Japan’s Textbook Controversy.” The Asia Pacific Journal 12, No 1 (March, 2014).
The results of the 2009 general election in Japan (241 seats needed for a majority). Red is the DPJ; Green is the LDP.By comparison, here are the 2012 results. You can see the complete shellacking of the DPJ clearly.Abe upon winning election as LDP president in September, 2012.Abe Shinzo leads a victory rally before the 2012 general elections. Behind him is Aso Taro, once a rival for LDP leadership. Aso would eventually be Abe’s longest serving cabinet minister.Abe Shinzo celebrating his victory in the 2012 general elections.Anti-Japanese protests in Korea. Protests like these are often kicked off by Abe’s historical revisionism regarding Japanese imperialism.A Womenomics photo op. Abe has talked a lot about economically empowering Japanese women, though cynics may note that he only does so in economic terms.
1 thought on “Episode 363 – Abe, Part 3”
I thought you were going to talk about the textbook controversy about “advancing into China.”
I don’t think the idea of questioning one’s state of mind re: womenomnics is helpful. We know that Abe isn’t a feminist and hasn’t actually made any actions that truly help women, but the ends justify the means. The fact that he even brought it up and started trying to promote it at all is helpful, whether it’s to improve the economy or not. If the argument that gender equality helps the economy works for a conservative perspective, then fine, as long as we get to the same goal.
I thought you were going to talk about the textbook controversy about “advancing into China.”
I don’t think the idea of questioning one’s state of mind re: womenomnics is helpful. We know that Abe isn’t a feminist and hasn’t actually made any actions that truly help women, but the ends justify the means. The fact that he even brought it up and started trying to promote it at all is helpful, whether it’s to improve the economy or not. If the argument that gender equality helps the economy works for a conservative perspective, then fine, as long as we get to the same goal.