They should fucking learn Japanese first tbh.
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Asia Nikkei: Populism fails to catch fire in Japan
- Thread starter ggx2ac
- Start date
Author: SHOTARO TANI
Err...
The trains don't run 100% on time, but they're very reliable in general. The fact that purposeful human intervention is the main deterrent to an on-time operation (as opposed to infrastructure or work ethic-related issues) speaks less about the train system itself and more about one particular problem in society.
Agreed, sadly. This is one of the reasons the youngins of our generation seem to be wanting Socialism, Communism, and populism: they rightfully want a politics of paradise. Too bad the established order is literally suggesting an insoluble framework, hence the extremes we see being proposed. One of the reasons America gets the "left = centrist" remark is largely for this reason, a type of status quo that is only continuing to work for fewer people. The vision of the Dems isn't nearly as far in scope as it should be, and that's bad because of the paradigm problem. Those who demand purity from their candidates should instead be demanding clarity and vision, a specificity to problems and solutions, not feel good remarks that don't really address issues. Every candidate running in the 2016 election in America all failed this mark, some far more than others, especially the orange one.
We're going to see neoliberal societies fall for neonationalist agendas, like America has with Trump. Of course, the paradox is that neonationalism is just neoliberalism in the disguise of nationalist populism. Some countries have fallen for the bait, and those resisting unfortunately don't have actual answers on the table for problems we see. Mark Blyth, Guy Standing, and Noam Chomsky have all kind of talked about the same problem in this regard.
- Standing has argued that a rise of a precariat class will fuel tensions -- he warned this six years ago -- where people will become desperate and demand change of any kind. For example, consider the people who hear about the stock market hitting records and unemployment being low see an erosion to their quality of life, which fuels dissent. These are people who feel Barack Obama "lied" to the public about society improving, because those metrics rightfully didn't change their lives; those metrics have been decoupled from the average citizen. This is where the Bernie and Trump coalition formed, but for different ideological reasons: one rightfully went after Wall Street and rentierism, and the other went after immigrants.
- Chomsky has warned that someone with enough charisma can just walk in and be able to deflect anything his or her way because things have gotten so bad for people. He warned this seven years ago, and now that person has come home to roost in the White House. Nearly anything tossed at Trump would have killed a traditional candidate on live television but because of his character, as slimy as it is, it never hung him. Mix that with racial issues, propaganda from the right, and a good twinkle of Russian support, and you have enough of a net to keep Trump from burning in a political dumpster fire, even though he's a breathing dumpster fire as a person.
- Blyth has warned that due to the issues of precarity, though he uses the term "creditor and debtor standoffs," politicians will try and market themselves as populists that solve the problems but only continue all of the problems that the people demanding change and wanting to be changed. This is seen with the whole "Trump is saving manufacturing by allowing tax breaks that automate the people from manufacturing" problem in any of the Orange Con Man's loljobs remarks. This will eventually lead to a revolt that the elite can only hold off by doing the right thing only when it becomes violent. We'll see if that ever happens.
While all of this is mostly about America, I guess the point here is if things can get this bad here, they can get this bad elsewhere. It would be best for other nations to see America as a living failure in this regard and to try and not emulate any of its core models or approaches to society, for they're now in disarray. Then again, we're talking about the first world, the same place where austerity is still being suggested as a reasonable solution to problems...dumb ideas get traction really fuckin' fast, it seems.
I'm sure something of this kind can exist in Japan. Why wouldn't it?
Compared to UK, Japan is on point
You might complain about getting late to work
Here, People who live in Brigthon, Reading or even Hatfield have to take the day off because the train system is a mess
Sakura
Member
Look I ain't saying it's awful. Just that the trains always being on time isn't very accurate.
michaelius
Banned
There's general unrest against previous elites in many countries.
But the main source of populism comes from mainstream parties not only refusing to adress problems of their country but even refusing to admit they have tha problem in first place.
Which is why You see such rise of anti-emigration parties in Europe. When both "left" and "right" basically have same stance some people will look for alternatives who promise solutions.
Also we are finally starting to feel real effects of globalisation in western world - since most of middle class work is being outsourced to cheaper countries it makes wealth distribution much more polarised - you end with tiny minory of super wealthy people and huge numer of people living from minimal wage for simplest works that couldn't be outsourced.
Tokyo. Not all lines are run equal.
Edit:
I'll just add an edit to not dilute the actual thread further - data about train delays for those interested (article in Japanese).
That could be Shotaro Tani from the Bronx. You don't know!Author: SHOTARO TANI
Err...
The trains don't run 100% on time, but they're very reliable in general. The fact that purposeful human intervention is the main deterrent to an on-time operation (as opposed to infrastructure or work ethic-related issues) speaks less about the train system itself and more about one particular problem in society.
But yeah, Japanese trains are usually great but not perfect. It was just a rib. As for the actual topic, other people already covered the main reason: conservatives already have immense power in Japan so there's no room for a western style populist movement. The Japanese right wing is not 1:1 analogous with western conservative beliefs and practices either.
I used to think Abe was a nutcase but he plays second fiddle to Trump in that department.
andythinkpad
Member
Japan probably don't have enough young people to lite up any movement.
freeofgreed
Member
The author is a Japanese person....
There's enough young people for a movement, but they're too busy with studying for High School entrance exams, university entrance exams, chilling out at the university when they finally get in as their last period of "freedom" before being thrown in the job grinder. That last step makes most of them not have much time for anything.
andythinkpad
Member
Do Japanese young men even do anything resembling "free" in the college stage? I don't remember seeing any Japanese youth go hike for a few months in the back country or backpack around the world.
clay_ghost
Member
Tbf no body like those rude China Chinese tourist, North Korean schools and people with bad manners.
I will say most places don't really like the US military too.
Aizo
Banned
My trains were always on time when I lived in Shimane and Yamaguchi. I had monthly business trips to Hiroshima, and those were always on time, too. Some people have bad luck haha.
I've been on so few delayed trains. I can count on them to the minute 99% of the time. That's amazing.
They party a lot, have fun in university clubs which feel much more carefree than high school ones if I understand correctly etc.
Rentahamster
Rodent Whores
They're more consistently reliable than any other form of public transportation I've experienced around the world so far.
matt360
Member
Yup, Hiroshima resident of 11 years and the trains are almost always on time. It's incredible. However, I've definitely noticed that 11 years ago I could always get a seat on any train, and now it's impossible.
No I think you misunderstood my post. I'm not saying people are rational, I'm saying rightwing 'populism' that demonizes foreigners is a result of people acting irrationally because they've been basically fooled into hating another group. And by-and-large that misdirection of collective frustration is economically based, or:
based on imperialism, directly, and economics indirectly.
The presence of "foreigners" is neither necessary (as in leftwing populism) nor sufficient for populist politics.
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
Because those things apply to IMMIGRANTS...
You're deluded if you think japan has no social problems.
Chairmanchuck
Member
I would argue thats generalizing.
Imagine I say that it applies to Muslims that they are rude and dont adapt to German culture.
Unless I misunderstood your post.
jimmypython
Member
can you say the same thing for Taiwan?
CertifiedFP
Member
Uh, Japan is the very emblem of Social Problems. If there's three words that can describe the current state of life in Japan it's...
OBEY, CONSUME, CONFORM.
Japan's politics are overwhelmingly authoritarian insofar as a rule-of-law respecting democracy can be. Nobody wants to defy authority, and authority is the LDP and occasionally the Democrats (who are in a pretty aimless state after their 4-year taste of power ending in 2012).
There's no room for populism because appeals to "the Real Japan" are authoritarian appeals, not populist ones. Insurgent right-wing parties (like the Japan Restoration Party) are ones who want more power to the state and the elite, not less. People who feel like the worst thing that happened was when Hirohito was stripped of his authority and divinity.
I kind of feel like the problem was that Japan didn't experience "De-Nazification" as such. The power structures that loomed over the country in World War II simply took on a different form and the traditions of non-confrontational authoritarianism in the country continued, just this time within the bounds of a liberal constitution.
There's no room for populism because appeals to "the Real Japan" are authoritarian appeals, not populist ones. Insurgent right-wing parties (like the Japan Restoration Party) are ones who want more power to the state and the elite, not less. People who feel like the worst thing that happened was when Hirohito was stripped of his authority and divinity.
I kind of feel like the problem was that Japan didn't experience "De-Nazification" as such. The power structures that loomed over the country in World War II simply took on a different form and the traditions of non-confrontational authoritarianism in the country continued, just this time within the bounds of a liberal constitution.
You forgot:
The Prime Minister gets to choose the execution date and who gets executed.
So he uses that to get brownie points with the tough on crime people and deflect from scandals.
UnemployedVillain
Member
Compared to train systems in other countries, and given the sheer volume of people taking trains in Tokyo especially, they definitely do
It would be, normally, but they have a genuine labor shortage that means that people who would normally be out of work for structural purposes are encouraged to get short term employment because they are needed.
AdventureRacing
Member
I spent 2 weeks in Japan and this was one of the main things I noticed. The trains not only always ran on time but usually arrived within seconds of when they were meant to. I think the whole time I was there 1 train didn't run on time. It was cancelled and another one showed up just a couple of minutes later. I haven't been to another city/country with trains as reliable as Japan.
Jefferson's vision of the self-reliant farmer as the American paragon won out over Alexander Hamilton.
Andrew Jackson promised to drain the swamp of bankers.
Read up about Williams Jenning Bryan and his "Cross of Gold" speech.
marimorimo
Member
Just to pile on the Train On Time discourse.
Well yeah, that's been my experience as well. On time to the minute about 95% of the time. Lived for 5 years in Tokyo or the suburbs.
The only time there are delays are when there are:
1) Train jumpers (usually during the end of the year)
2) Unusual congestion due to another line having problems
3) Strong winds/rain/typhoon
4) Earthquakes
Pretty much stuff that are outside the train management's control. They even hand out official "excuse notes" for people that need them. I'm not about to demand them to run over dead bodies or rush in slippery and dangerous conditions.
Also, except for major disruptions, waiting time was never more than 10 minutes in general.
Well yeah, that's been my experience as well. On time to the minute about 95% of the time. Lived for 5 years in Tokyo or the suburbs.
The only time there are delays are when there are:
1) Train jumpers (usually during the end of the year)
2) Unusual congestion due to another line having problems
3) Strong winds/rain/typhoon
4) Earthquakes
Pretty much stuff that are outside the train management's control. They even hand out official "excuse notes" for people that need them. I'm not about to demand them to run over dead bodies or rush in slippery and dangerous conditions.
Also, except for major disruptions, waiting time was never more than 10 minutes in general.
CadetMahoney
Member
And_Gignac
Member
So now all populism is Le Pen / Trump type?
There is a lot of recently successful left wing populism out there that is not funded on racism. This piece has strong liberal myopia.
And lol reactionary Abe is not better than most right wing populists, so I fail to see where this self congratulatory sentiment comes from.
Japan's very own Sanders-sama.
And the award for the most reactionary post of the day goes to.
There is a lot of recently successful left wing populism out there that is not funded on racism. This piece has strong liberal myopia.
And lol reactionary Abe is not better than most right wing populists, so I fail to see where this self congratulatory sentiment comes from.
Japan's very own Sanders-sama.
And the award for the most reactionary post of the day goes to.
I mean that's fair enough, and I did see he was doing that with his list bit. That being said where I was seeing an issue is in using that to distinguish Japan. America has a pretty well entrenched right-wing nationalist anti-immigrant political sphere. It doesn't function as smoothly, but I think that has to do more with Japanese political culture and the competency of its machine than its relative left-right position compared to the US.
I'm not sure what you're doing here. I wasn't denying that rural populism was a factor, I was pointing out that the increasing dominance of rural concerns in populism was new.
I wouldn't call Jefferson a populist, and I absolutely wouldn't call Hamilton one. Hamilton was probably the least responsive to the ongoing populist movement of all the Revolutionaries. Hamilton also absolutely was never won over to Jefferson's ideal agrarian republic. He knew full well that Britain's model was the one to emulate for future growth. You're right that Jackson was a populist with a rural base, but he did have some urban support as well, and that's a particular movement. I'm not sure at all what you're getting at with Bryan unless you're think of urban people as solely the "money interest".
edit: My apologies I see what you were getting at with Hamilton. I don't think I'd say they won out. Both ideals clearly impacted government, and American political culture. Both Urban and Rural populism existed and at varies times either co-existed or were interrelated.
My wider point here is that populism and the country city divide are interrelated, but that populism is not a mere subset of rural anti-city politics.I do think it's become more associated with rural politics over time, but that's still not total, see Bernie, and more the result of the clear urban nature of the political elite. Urban politics can use populism, but with the fall of landed big men it can no longer be used against rural interests. The inverse is not true. That's something worth noting, but again that doesn't mean populism is somehow rural at its core.
D
Deleted member 231381
Unconfirmed Member
as evidence for the "Japan doesn't have racist populists because Japan already has a racist establishment" hypothesis:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/30/japan-minister-tara-aso-praises-hitler-right-motives
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/30/japan-minister-tara-aso-praises-hitler-right-motives
the fuck?
I think that this is a very bad article. I can rewrite the whole damned thing as "Populism in Japan does not follow populism in the Western World because the Japanese populace is far more disinterested in politics." The idea that populism doesn't exist there because it's missing indicators A and B doesn't really make any sense either because this premise ignores the conditions of the country in question. It's almost as if the author decided on the conclusion of his article and then scrounged for evidence that's he's correct without bothering to look at what's actually going on.
Many of the messages that you see from right-wing populism in the West are already ingrained into Japanese society. One of the biggest perpetrators of this is the LDP and they've been in power for a million years because elections don't really work in Japan. If Western-styled populism were to spring up there, they would have to find messages that haven't already been co-opted by the ruling government.
Many of the messages that you see from right-wing populism in the West are already ingrained into Japanese society. One of the biggest perpetrators of this is the LDP and they've been in power for a million years because elections don't really work in Japan. If Western-styled populism were to spring up there, they would have to find messages that haven't already been co-opted by the ruling government.
Try insane instead. Japan is the most dysfunctional democracy in the developed world, so the idea that anyone should laud their voters is utterly absurd.