I agree one hundred percent that the Obuchi faction were rather humbled and susequently quiet during the days of Koizumi by Mori’s disasterous run as Prime Minister. But I don’t see any evidence that Mori or his loyal squad are gaining in power of control.

Mori is finished politically. He may however be able to muster up the old leather necks similar to what George Bush (senior) is doing in the United States. That makes some one influenctial but not powerfull in my view.

Excellent point. But at the same time, I’m not sure that he really lost any power, having control of the old Obuchi faction and with Koizumi and Abe coming from the Obuchi/Mori faction (despite their having ‘left’ the faction). Fukuda is still there as well. I might say that in the Koizumi days Mori laid a bit low, but now he’s better able to assert his position with Abe in the office. So maybe I’m agreeing with you…

As far as the beautiful country goes, I still support the (vague) notions that were put forth in Abe’s initial policy speech, but the way he’s going about using it obviously seems like a distraction. We’re just about to record the new Seijigiri, so I’ll have more to say about it in there…

Very true that Abe wasn’t elected directly. But for many years he was known as Koizumi’s wing man. You knew that with Koizumi you got Abe.

There’s no doubt that “Beautiful Country” is a distraction. But one possitive it may infact have is that it may get younger generation of people thinking that their voice will be heard by the Diet and the powers that be. Politics and youth often don’t go together but in Japan its pathetic how little younger generations of people are involved or at least aware!

Anyway, yes, the “Beautiful Country” plan is totally silly. It’s just a distraction. He’s surely aware that any government sanctioned attempt to get people to say why Japan is so great is sure to be popular (it’s already all over the media).

I don’t know if you saw Ken Y-N’s recent post on “What makes you glad you were born Japanese?” For both men and women, the top two answers were: 1) Delicious food and 2) The passage through the four seasons. I think Abe pretty much has his answers there. Talk a lot about food and seasons on TV and you’ll be popular.

Shit, maybe that’s why he spent that time eating school lunches on TV.

I fully agree that he needs to speak up and tell people what his policy is. Three months in, and he’s asking them to revise his policy…

…well, I guess that’s better that Mori.

I find Abe’s “Beautiful Country” plan a bit silly. Its kind of like treating the people who elected him as children in a high school art class competition.

I agree with the simple statement that if Abe wants to get things back on track, he needs to step out and TELL PEOPLE what in the hell his plans are, what his cabinet is doing… And then do it! Seems rather simplistic but the secrecy thing is not going to fly.