I actually don't see a rising modern Japan as a problem, especially if they can somehow rekindle the enthusiasm and confidence of their younger population enough to start having more babies and stick around to be good parents.
Most of my Kansai friends,on the other side of the mountains from you are strongly against Takaichi and LDP's policies. My friends there are also older than dirt (Almost as old as me!) and are surprised at the support Takaichi receives from the youngsters.
I suspect with the present leadership Japan/U.S. relations will be quite satisfactory for both sides. President Trump is America, his country, first (Odd for a world leader now.) and it seems to me there is much room for arrangements, beneficial to both nations.
Takaichi's Japan first, he'll understand and appreciate and their common viewpoint, I think a great starting point for negotiations.
Time will tell, but as you said about her reading the nation well, that and much else these days, and in spite of much else these days, bodes well for the future.
This is a massive change from previous PMs whose posters were everywhere and which were replaced very quickly as a new PM took over from the old one. I wondered whether that meant that she was going to lose support in the older rural parts of the country, but it seems that was incorrect. Perhaps she lost some support from rural farmers but not as much as she gained from suburban sorts I guess because the LDP under her took back the Shimane seat that had been held by Chudo (the person in the campaign photo of my article as it happens) as well as comfortaby holding the other one.
Lisa points out that although Takaichi apparently dominated the online SNS of Japan, Lisa didn't see any of those posts (neither did I, which is not very surprising because I don't do X or Instagram and I don't think I've logged in to facebook since the election was called). That filter bubble is a big potential problem in the future, making Pauline Kael's comment about Nixon voters likely to be repeated by all kinds of people
Thank you for sharing those fascinating boots-on-the-ground observations!
Regarding the consumption tax, I’m skeptical about whether they’ll actually go through with a straightforward cut. Given her phrasing, she (or people around her) seems to be leaving the door open for a "refundable tax credit" instead.
As for Trump, he clearly wanted to back a winner and was welcoming her victory even before the results were in. Still, this landslide is a massive plus for diplomacy. No world leader wants to spend energy negotiating with a Prime Minister who might be gone by next year. This mandate gives Japan a much-needed seat at the table.
And the Chudo party... their policy and marketing were an absolute disaster. I really want to see a stronger opposition.
I actually don't see a rising modern Japan as a problem, especially if they can somehow rekindle the enthusiasm and confidence of their younger population enough to start having more babies and stick around to be good parents.
I suspect you are right about nukes but I suspect that, well, hard sell, let's leave it there.
Most of my Kansai friends,on the other side of the mountains from you are strongly against Takaichi and LDP's policies. My friends there are also older than dirt (Almost as old as me!) and are surprised at the support Takaichi receives from the youngsters.
I suspect with the present leadership Japan/U.S. relations will be quite satisfactory for both sides. President Trump is America, his country, first (Odd for a world leader now.) and it seems to me there is much room for arrangements, beneficial to both nations.
Takaichi's Japan first, he'll understand and appreciate and their common viewpoint, I think a great starting point for negotiations.
Time will tell, but as you said about her reading the nation well, that and much else these days, and in spite of much else these days, bodes well for the future.
One thing I didn't mention in the post, but this post (https://unlockingjapan.substack.com/p/why-takaichi-won-japan-chose-a-leader ) by Lisa reminded me of was the lack of Takaichi posters that here in Shimane, which is heavily traditional LDP.
This is a massive change from previous PMs whose posters were everywhere and which were replaced very quickly as a new PM took over from the old one. I wondered whether that meant that she was going to lose support in the older rural parts of the country, but it seems that was incorrect. Perhaps she lost some support from rural farmers but not as much as she gained from suburban sorts I guess because the LDP under her took back the Shimane seat that had been held by Chudo (the person in the campaign photo of my article as it happens) as well as comfortaby holding the other one.
Lisa points out that although Takaichi apparently dominated the online SNS of Japan, Lisa didn't see any of those posts (neither did I, which is not very surprising because I don't do X or Instagram and I don't think I've logged in to facebook since the election was called). That filter bubble is a big potential problem in the future, making Pauline Kael's comment about Nixon voters likely to be repeated by all kinds of people
Thank you for sharing those fascinating boots-on-the-ground observations!
Regarding the consumption tax, I’m skeptical about whether they’ll actually go through with a straightforward cut. Given her phrasing, she (or people around her) seems to be leaving the door open for a "refundable tax credit" instead.
As for Trump, he clearly wanted to back a winner and was welcoming her victory even before the results were in. Still, this landslide is a massive plus for diplomacy. No world leader wants to spend energy negotiating with a Prime Minister who might be gone by next year. This mandate gives Japan a much-needed seat at the table.
And the Chudo party... their policy and marketing were an absolute disaster. I really want to see a stronger opposition.
Oh yes. A decent opposition would be wonderful….