 |
|
Mon through Fri at 12pm, Mon through Thu at 9pm |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Japanese Prime Minister Abe Resigns
|
|
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation yesterday. His controversial tenure as Prime Minister ended abruptly amid cabinet scandals, his inability to pass a U.S. backed anti-terrorism law, and his failing health.
Abe was admitted to a hospital this morning for severe exhaustion and gastrointestinal problems. The leader of the Liberal Opposition Party, Ichiro Ozawa, has demanded a general election for a new prime minister. But as it stands, the LDP should be able to forestall that and choose Japan’s new leader.
Ozawa has been a thorn in the side of the LDP for a long time. He’s the strongest opponent of the anti-terrorism law, which is set to expire November 1st. The law would allow Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Forces in the Indian Ocean to continue refueling American ships headed to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Ozawa claims that such a law violates Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution in which the “Japanese people forever renounce war.”
Steve Clemons is the Director of the Japan Policy Research Institute and a Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation. His blog is called The Washington Note.
Steve Clemons explained the importance of the anti-terrorism law in Abe’s downfall...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|