Abe through the Japanese editorial lens
What does the Japanese press have to say about the performance of new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe thus far? 
I’ve dug in and found some pieces that ordinarily wouldn’t get translated into English. I have a perspective from each of Japan’s three largest daily newspapers: The Asahi Shimbun, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun and the Yomiuri Shimbun.
The Asahi is generally spoken of as Japan’s most liberal daily broadsheet, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (literally Japan Economic Newspaper) could be considered Japan’s version of the Wall Street Times Journal, and the Yomiuri is generally touted as Japan’s conservative voice. The Yomiuri has the largest daily circulation of any newspaper in the world. Here’s what they each had to say:
Asahi Shimbun
“Youthfulness, cleanliness, and a spirit to challenge” - these are the words often used by Abe’s supporters to describe his new cabinet. Unfortunately, none of these words seem to fit the new regime. “Cronyism” is more like it, as important cabinet and party leadership positions went to those folks who had supported Abe in the LDP presidential election. The makeup of this new leadership looks more like a new version of NHK’s weekly drama Komyo ga tsuji.
Nihon Keizai Shimbun
We are concerned with Abe’s views on history. While each individual is entitled to their own opinion, the prime minister of Japan cannot get away with seeming vague about his thoughts concerning the justifications of past wars. His personal views must not take precedence over national interests. He must speak and act with caution on all matters of history.
Yomiuri Shimbun
The prime minister has insisted that Japan steer away from its “postwar regime” by announcing that his cabinet would start work on a detailed schedule for amending the Constitution within five years. A new Constitution can serve as the compass in navigating the nation’s future as it struggles to overcome challenges of historic proportion.
As one might expect, the Asahi Shimbun has come out with harsh words on Abe’s cabinet choices. The paper failed to mention Abe’s appointment of five special advisors; this observer has argued in Seijigiri that these special advisors will lay out the backbone of the Prime Minister’s policy agenda.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, as an economic broadsheet might, focuses on the diplomatic aspects of Abe’s young tenure. This seems natural, since Abe’s ability (or inability) to normalize relations with China and South Korea will have a direct impact on Japan’s international business operations.
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