I don't know a whole lot about Japanese politics. Is this a big deal? On the face of it it seems so, insofar as Abe has been in office for 8 years, but the article seems to imply that his party...
I don't know a whole lot about Japanese politics. Is this a big deal? On the face of it it seems so, insofar as Abe has been in office for 8 years, but the article seems to imply that his party will select a successor that will largely continue along the same path.
Indeed, the same party that has ruled Japan since it is democratic will not change its course, though it might backpedal in some aspects since Abe had reputation with world leaders. It will...
Indeed, the same party that has ruled Japan since it is democratic will not change its course, though it might backpedal in some aspects since Abe had reputation with world leaders. It will certainly be a bit harder on a international level to make agreements, like reaching common ground with Korea, but it will not be a shift.
Personal opinion, but I had a bit of dislike with Abe and his conservative views, specially recently with his talks on how to "improve" and grow the JDF. Though I hope he recovers.
Abe's relationship with other world leaders definitely shouldn't be understated though. While not a lot will likely change in terms of policy, especially domestic policy, Japan historically has...
Abe's relationship with other world leaders definitely shouldn't be understated though. While not a lot will likely change in terms of policy, especially domestic policy, Japan historically has had a rather weak defense policy as well as an unassertive diplomatic arm. Abe made up for that by cultivating relationships with global leaders, notably being able to balance maintaining strong ties with Washington without provoking Beijing, even going as far as to deepen economic ties with China. Hell, it's possible that China will see Abe's absence as an opportunity to take a tougher stance on Japan. We don't know.
I have mixed feelings on Abe's efforts to improve and grow the JDF. Increased militarization is pretty unpopular here in Japan, and Abe is without a doubt a Japanese Nationalist at heart, though he isn't as bombastic as nationalists in Europe or other parts of Asia. With that said, Japan has a weak defense policy that's a little too reliant on NATO and the United States (which could explain why Abe put in so much effort to establish a solid relationship with Trump- a president that's been critical of NATO and the US's other strategic allies) especially as a major player in a region that sees both China and Russia seek to maintain and expand their respective spheres of influence. Plus, while it's unlikely that North Korea will enter into any major conflict with the Japanese any time soon, having such an openly hostile nation in your backyard is not something that can be ignored.
I don't know a whole lot about Japanese politics. Is this a big deal? On the face of it it seems so, insofar as Abe has been in office for 8 years, but the article seems to imply that his party will select a successor that will largely continue along the same path.
Indeed, the same party that has ruled Japan since it is democratic will not change its course, though it might backpedal in some aspects since Abe had reputation with world leaders. It will certainly be a bit harder on a international level to make agreements, like reaching common ground with Korea, but it will not be a shift.
Personal opinion, but I had a bit of dislike with Abe and his conservative views, specially recently with his talks on how to "improve" and grow the JDF. Though I hope he recovers.
Abe's relationship with other world leaders definitely shouldn't be understated though. While not a lot will likely change in terms of policy, especially domestic policy, Japan historically has had a rather weak defense policy as well as an unassertive diplomatic arm. Abe made up for that by cultivating relationships with global leaders, notably being able to balance maintaining strong ties with Washington without provoking Beijing, even going as far as to deepen economic ties with China. Hell, it's possible that China will see Abe's absence as an opportunity to take a tougher stance on Japan. We don't know.
I have mixed feelings on Abe's efforts to improve and grow the JDF. Increased militarization is pretty unpopular here in Japan, and Abe is without a doubt a Japanese Nationalist at heart, though he isn't as bombastic as nationalists in Europe or other parts of Asia. With that said, Japan has a weak defense policy that's a little too reliant on NATO and the United States (which could explain why Abe put in so much effort to establish a solid relationship with Trump- a president that's been critical of NATO and the US's other strategic allies) especially as a major player in a region that sees both China and Russia seek to maintain and expand their respective spheres of influence. Plus, while it's unlikely that North Korea will enter into any major conflict with the Japanese any time soon, having such an openly hostile nation in your backyard is not something that can be ignored.