Japan's Wimp Factor

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

Meh123 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:32:34 GMT

wtf

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

littlewozo — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:50:35 GMT

"And now his predecessor"...don't they mean "successor"?

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

Whatalamearticle. — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:20:03 GMT

Give me a break. Just because Japan is not a warmongering nation that disperses radioactive depleted uranium around the globe does not mean it is a wimp. I suggest that as an American you search the internet with the search term "HOW JAPAN SANK THE US MARKET MSN MONEY" and then come back and write an article and tell me how much of a wimp Japan is.

Japan has the world's richest central bank by assets. In contrast, the United States stopped publishing the M3, report about how much total dollars were in circulation. I consider that move wimpy. America is the world's biggest debtor nation, do you know that? Now who is the wimp? Meanwhile Japan holds the majority of US dollar reserves. China has quite a few dollar reserves too and currently the United States is fighting a war in Iraq with money borrowed from China, now who is the wimp?

Japan has no desire to refuel warships in the Indian Ocean and that was the cause of the last prime minister who resigned as well. Just as in America, the majority of Japanese do not want a war, and they put public pressure on the government that supports it.

At least in Japan, the presidents resign when their approval rating is below thirty percent; however, in the near dictatorship of America, the president's approval could be negative and he will still push forward to take away constitutional rights in the form of executive orders and Patriot Act.

Japan has been pressured time and again by its ruling political party to change its constitution so that its military can be used for preemptive war. I am a Japanese National from Kyoto. I admire my country for not changing its constitution. Your article fails to capture the real reasons Japan's prime minister resigned.

Unfortunately, this shrewd political move will keep the conservative ruling party in power for another year. I want the wasted time I spent reading your article back.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

yortyarg — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:35:53 GMT

Dear "whatalamearticle"

Take you and your japanese ninja turtle attitude back to your kyoto so you won't have to bear any more of this GREAT COUNTRY the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I'm sure that there is a flight leaving today. Please hurry!!!!!!!!!!!!

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

Wolfdude — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:43:52 GMT

Decent article. Hadn't picked up on the timeline of those involved - so good summation. At least you have the savy to compare / contrast today's Japan with itself. Other's will opine by comparing / contrasting Japan with the US (usually by throwing the Constitution and Bill of Rights argument up as a smoke screen). How shallow - especially considering they've probably never read either document.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

kellynga — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:46:09 GMT

Dear Whatalamearticle,

Please, do us all a favor...if you love Japan so much and it is such a wonderful country for all of it's inhabitants, please go back there and live in the poverty from which I'm sure you came. Hundreds of thousands of people leave that country every year to come to America...I wonder why? You don't like our "whimpy" country? Then please, get the @#$%! out of here.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

davidkn — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:56:10 GMT

Are you kidding at least the Japanese have the balls to quit when they cannot serve the people anymore. That takes more balls, morales, guts, fortitude, than staying in office and not admitting that you are a failure.

How many American Politicians would commit "Political Suicide", by honestly admitting that they could not help the American Citizens? That is gutless, balless, chicken, immoral (staying in Office and cannot do anything).

By admitting failure, his life is over as a politician, but it shows his high morale standards. That is part of what the Bushido, Code of Honor demanded, not unjustly running around cutting peoples heads off as a Samurai, like Americans think. The "Last Samurai" gave a small glimpse into that code.

Americans always get it wrong, because they do not understand the Philosophy, Psychology behind the way cultural groups think nor individuals of different cultures think. Nor do they even try. Even something simple like the definition of words. Example: In America, Sushi = raw fish. Dumbo, In Japan, Sashimi = raw fish. So we make ourselves as Americans look stupid internationally by our ignorance, now stupidity since you know.

Show me an American Politician with the honor to quit if they could not serve the Citizens of the United States of America. We all know, most American Politicians are self serving, and cater to the lobbists or special interest groups and NOT THE AMERICAN CITIZENS. So that is how you want the Japanese to run their "Democratic" Government. Sorry, their Code Of Honor, upbring, education, morales, prevent them from being that corrupt. "Serve the People" means Serve the People, not help one's self to everyones wallet. "what do you mean by the definiton of "?-former President to get out of sex scandal. We Americans twist (corrupt) words, meanings, etc..

Try not to "spin" something you do not understand. Live there (years), Study their Culture, Study their Philosophy, Study their Psychology. Americans motives are not everyones motives Worldwide.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

yortyarg — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:03:59 GMT

I cannot tollerate anyone who writes from the lap of AMERICAN luxury, whose security and ability to acheive these luxuries have been provided by the backbone of our Great Forefathers, and the the American Soldier both past and present. Japan is a whimpy, paranoid, small minded, over crowded, robotic and over priced country. I think our foriegn policy should be to all those whimpy foreign nationals who complain about everything is to ship their %#@ back to the hell hole they came from with the money we send to your crooked politicians. GO HOME!!

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

yortyarg — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:11:44 GMT

Davidkn

I don't know where you eat sushi but where I eat it does not mean raw fish. Sashimi means raw fish just as in Japan.

As for our politicians you are correct. There are a few who have the best interest of the people at heart but for the most part these are simply overuled by the self serving multi-term career politicians who would find it diificult in the real world.

I as an American would lie for you to speak for yourself. I do not twist words to fit my agenda. The truth is the truth.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

Adamandeve — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:13:14 GMT

Calling Fukuda a "wimp", though he might've been, not only is offensive to our most important Asian ally, but also does a disservice to the readers. The way Japanese prime ministers come & go are largely a function of the parliamentary system the country has adopted. The PM is merely a leader of the majority party, and, when his/her party weakens, he/she also weakens. Unlike in the U.S., where there are 3 co-equal branches of government.

The author is right to point out the rise of capable female politicians in the mainstream parties, but he's wrong to single out Japan as a country inhospitable to women with political aspirations. Women have held numerous cabinet level positions, including Defense & Foreign Affairs. The share of women in the Japanese parliament is only slightly lower than the same figure for the U.S. Congress. Women run many large prefectures (states) as governors.

The article could've been a much more insightful piece. Unfortunate that the author couldn't resist resorting to empty name-calling and caricature...

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

lonnywinn — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:19:44 GMT

Wow....

Seeing the posts some of my fellow Americans left on this disgusts me.

You were BORN into this privileged country, you didn't create it. You spout off as if everyone else around the world is underneath you just because you are American.

Drive past the Wal-Mart and get out to see the world, you might just find out how ignorant you sound.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

davidkn — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:23:43 GMT

"Posted By: kellynga (September 2, 2008 at 4:46 PM)

Dear Whatalamearticle,

Posted By: yortyarg (September 2, 2008 at 4:35 PM)

Dear "whatalamearticle"

This is the kind of bury head in sand, 'America Right or Wrong" mentality, that I did not serve mulitple times in the U.S. Military to protect these idiots rights. These are the same type of people that created the Nazi Party and later Neo Nazism, ultra Nationalists. That instead of trying to make America better for all American Citizens, personal attack other peoples comments with non constructive bs. These people are depicted in the movie, Idocracy.

Did they serve in the U.S. Military, nope, or they would have lived all over the World and know better about making stupid remarks, like leave the U.S. instead of trying to make it better. Leaving is not Patriotic, that is self serving, we in the U.S. Military know that.

Did these people earn their U.S. Citizenship, nope handed to them on a platter. That is why they should reinstitute the draft, so that these people earn their Citizenship like all the other Countries Worldwide that have a compulsory draft for 18 years and up. So they do NOT take their Citizenship (and obligations) so lightly.

This is just like the ignorance that GM, Ford, and Chrysler are "American" Automotive Companies. Unless, we annexed Canada and Mexico, guess where they are built. Attaching one part after the cars are shipped to the U.S. from Mexico or Canada is not assembled nor built in U.S.. You, want the "Japs" (derrogatory for Japanese, like the "N" word for African Americans) to leave? That would mean that the REAL American cars assembled in the U.S. would leave also: Toyota, Kentucky, Tennesse, Alabama, Louisiana; Honda, California; Nissan, USA. Parts manufactured by U.S. Companies, not Mexican, nor Canadian.

So you want to be Patriots, tell GM, Ford and Chrysler to bring the American jobs back from north and south of the border. They are the traitors. Other countries would consider this treason against the American Citizens.

Also tell GM, wtf, why did they get rid of all the environmentally clean rail mass transit in 40 cities by forming the National City Lines. National City Lines = GM, Firestone, Standard Oil. Now NTL. This is how self serving the American Politicians are, received (documented) kickbacks from them.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

yortyarg — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:52:49 GMT

davidkn,

I would not come to your house a tell you what is wrong with your way of life not will I acecpt you telling me the same. Get down off your pius high horse.

What is wrong with him going back to his coutry and making IT better rather than telling us how to steer our ship.

As for you, I applaude and truly respect your service to our GREAT Country. I have 2 sons serving as I write this note but I will not stand by nor will I have you tell me that I need to stand for what this guy said.

The attack of words came from, in his words, "JAPANESE NATIONAL" not an American.

I don't care who you are or where your from. If you are an American, your'e an American not an African American, Irish American or Japanese American, just a plain ole AMERICAN.

I do not think that America is right just because of who we are. I think America is the best country in all of the world, and again, will not tollerate people who bad mouth her just as I figure any ex military man or woman would feel.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

davidkn — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:28:42 GMT

"Posted By: yortyarg (September 2, 2008 at 5:52 PM)

davidkn,

I would not come to your house a tell you what is wrong with your way of life not will I acecpt you telling me the same. Get down off your pius high horse.

What is wrong with him going back to his coutry and making IT better rather than telling us how to steer our ship.

The attack of words came from, in his words, "JAPANESE NATIONAL" not an American.

I don't care who you are or where your from. If you are an American, your'e an American not an African American, Irish American or Japanese American, just a plain ole AMERICAN.

GOD BLESS AMERICA"

So you have not served in the U.S. Military and did not swore an oath to protect the United States against all enemies foreign or domestic.?

You have never been shot (twice) stabbed (twice) and laid in the hospital for months, after protecting the American ideals? Like "freedom of speech". To say someone does not have this right because they are a "Japanese National" is really a great role model for the rest of the world, it is called hypocritical.

Sometimes it takes and outside view to see stuff that we cannot see that is right in front of our noses.

Just like when I worked in a think tank advising the Germans on the opening of the borders, yes, we (U.S.) knew years before it happened. The Germans called us "Ouslanders". In Deutsche, I told Helmut, that at least I could see what is right in front of my nose, and that I lived in his country for over 20 years.

Where do you think we get most of our ideas from? U.S. nope Worldwide, we did not invent Democracy, Voting, we adapted (modified) the British Parlementary system, French Magna Carta, etc..

About running a house if I were running a crack house or doing something illegal it would be your legal right to tell what is wrong with my way of life. Personal attacks like calling someone pious high horse is just illogical and has nothing to do with real observations, so just like the other poster said, go beyond Walmart and see the rest of the World.

If you did serve in the U.S. Military and stationed Worldwide you would see that the United States is not necessarily the Greatest that you believe and there is a lot to improve on. The United States has been around a couple of hundred years, other countries thousands (and they learned harsh lessons: millions of lives lost, trillions of dollars). They try to pass this information on to us like you would pass knowledge to your two sons, so that they do not make the same mistakes that you did. What if they ignored you and got killed, would you feel bad? Or just srug your shoulders at their stupidy? I hope that you are a good parent and would do all that you could to avoid them dying. That is how I feel as a U.S. Military Officer, bring all my people back alive, every loss of life is a personal failure on my part. If you are ever in this position, then you know that yes, I have also done somethings on behalf of the U.S.A. that some would consider questionable.

You have to seriously ask yourself:

Has the U.S.A. ever overthrown a Democracy and put in a Dictator.

Has the U.S.A. ever committed genocide.

Has the U.S.A. ever condoned the overthrow of a Government.

Has the U.S.A. ever assinated anyone because of their views or what they said.

Has the U.S.A. ever abridged its Citizens Rights.

When you can honestly answer these, you become aware of what is happening to you, when it happens to you. Remember I swore to uphold the Consitution Of the United States of America, and to protect against all enemies foreign and domestic. Did you. Did all the "American" Corporations? Please wake up. I admit I am sometimes Nationalistic, but the patriotism also is knowing that problems exist and must be made better for all Americans, if the problem was addressed by a foreigner, and is still a problem, WTF, it is still a problem.

God Bless America

and your rights to say whatever you want to say (as long as it fits into the U.S. Legal System: no slander, liable, etc..)

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

StuckinNevada — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:32:09 GMT

yortyarg,

I am an American of Japanese descent. My father served in World War II, Korea and 2 tours in Viet Nam. He was a patriot and a hero. Since he's no longer with us, I will speak for him. You should mind your manners and look to your own house. Now, I will speak for myself. I sometimes struggle with the fact that he died so that fools like you could run their mouths.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

davidkn — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:45:54 GMT

You cannot speak for him you never served. You would be a dishonor to the 442nd, 100th Battalion. About running my mouth, I earned my Freedom of Speech, by serving multiple times and serving with the U.S. Military. You did not and are not. Truth hurts. Grow up and stop the personal attacks for your lack of knowledge of the world.

And I don't speak for my father who was a Military Hero who is not with us anymore. I speak for myself as a U.S. Military member, I do not consider myself a "Hero", all the "heroes" I know are dead. So if you have not served you have no right to say squat about U.S. Military as if it is first hand experience.

I earned my rights just like the Nisei of the 442nd and 100th Battalion, did you? NO.

Posted By: StuckinNevada (September 2, 2008 at 6:32 PM)

yortyarg,

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

rabidbutratonal — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:59:40 GMT

It sounds to me lke Fukuda was Abe's succcesor, not "predecessor "? In the fifth paragraph, it appears Americans wanted really tall or "long" presidents I don't really recall anyone saying they weren't going to vote for somone because they were short. After these gaffes, I quit reading the article.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

davidkn — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:01:54 GMT

Posted By: StuckinNevada (September 2, 2008 at 6:32 PM)

yortyarg,

"You should mind your manners and look to your own house."

So, if I were your neighbor and your house were burning down and going to spread to my house. Would you have an obligation to tell me. If you answered, no. Then you are correct.

"Now, I will speak for myself. I sometimes struggle with the fact that he died so that fools like you could run their mouths."

This kind of doubt is something that would be a quote from Joseph Stalin. If I ever doubted that I was protecting your rights as a fool and did not shoot the enemy to defend the United States of America then you would be right and I would be dead. Again, you did not earn anything by not serving in the U.S. Military, much less the right to speak for those that are or have served and endured the hardships and survived.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

Adamandeve — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:43:43 GMT

Look. Both American and Japan are great nations and leading democracies everyone in the two countries can be proud of.

Neither country is perfect. Japan can continue to learn a lot from the U.S. The U.S. can also look to Japan for fresh ideas.

Arguing which country is better is just pointless.

Pointing out flaws in either the U.S. or Japan is patriotic - as long as the intention is to make it a better place for its citizens and the world.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

richardrc@hotmail.com — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:17:30 GMT

I still can't get over some of these morons who post here saying that Japan is a poor country where "tens of thousands" of people immigrate to the US every year for a better life. Japan? Maybe Cambodia, but not Japan.

These are the same ignorant a-holes who vote for McCain and think America is the best at everything. The real question is: how much longer is America going to be propped up by immigrants, mainly from Asia, that keep America's scientific and technological lead intact? Once the Chinese and other Asians stop coming here, it's lights out for America.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

davidkn — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:10:35 GMT

Unfortunely or fortunely both of you are correct. Japan has been our good neighbor (ally) that supports the United States of America right or wrong. Unlike certain other countries.

To those that do not understand this, I wish they would take my place on deployment. So that when I come back, I do not have to visit the Fathers, Mothers, Husbands, Wives, or Families of those that did not come back with me. I know that as an U.S. Military Officer I do not have to do this. As their Commander, I personally feel that it is my responsibility. The tragedy is that most Americans have not paid the price for what they take for granted, American Citizenship. When asked if there is anything that I can do for them, their response is to bring back their loved one. So when someone says that it is unpatriotic to say things that are wrong with the U.S.A. inorder to correct a problem (constructive critism). Let them fill my shoes. Ever seen unarmed Japanese engineers in a combat zone, that is how far they are willing to go as good allies or neighbors to the United States of America, they will die for Japan and the United States of America.

Posted By: richardrc@hotmail.com (September 2, 2008 at 8:17 PM)

"The real question is: how much longer is America going to be propped up by immigrants, mainly from Asia, that keep America's scientific and technological lead intact? Once the Chinese and other Asians stop coming here, it's lights out for America."

Posted By: Adamandeve (September 2, 2008 at 7:43 PM)

Look. Both American and Japan are great nations and leading democracies everyone in the two countries can be proud of.

Neither country is perfect. Japan can continue to learn a lot from the U.S. The U.S. can also look to Japan for fresh ideas.

Arguing which country is better is just pointless.

Pointing out flaws in either the U.S. or Japan is patriotic - as long as the intention is to make it a better place for its citizens and the world.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

MasterCorruptor — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:11:34 GMT

STOP FUELING SHIPS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN!

The 55 years of the dominant political party reign in Japan is coming to an end because this is the second Prime Minister to face public pressure over the issue that the Japanese public is against the war and does not want to refuel ships in the Indian ocean in order to help the war.

Search youtube with the search term HOW TO CREATE AN ANGRY AMERICAN

obviously American politicians do not care about the 70% of the American public who want the troops home right now. In Japan, people do not want to support a preemptive war either.

It is that simple.

re: Japan's Wimp Factor

imbabyjj@msn.com — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:16:41 GMT

richardrc@hotmail.com

That is a very nice liberal attack out of nowhere.John McCain is a war hero who gave blood for his country. I have respect for Mertha on the Democratic side as well for his contributions in uniform. If anyone is ignorant it is someone like you. There is an old saying "if your NOT liberal and young you have no heart. If you ARE liberal an old you have no brain." I know he can't part the waters and save the world with a speech like Obama but I think he does deserve a little more respect than what you give to him and his voters. Oh and by the way we are the best at most everything I am sorry your not.