Snap Election in January 2017? | Tokyo on Fire | Tokyo
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For the past few months we have been predicting the possible snap election in January of next year - but how realistic has this prediction become? Prime Minister Abe - who currently has a majority in both houses - and therefore should be passing his long loved constitutional revision - seems to be focusing on other matters (the possible discord within his own ranks?). Host Timothy Langley and Michael Cucek follow up on this case. Looming Tokyo, Fukuoka by-elections may set stage for Lower House dissolution: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/10/03/reference/looming-tokyo-fukuoka-elections-may-set-stage-lower-house-dissolution/#.V_ce4JOLTeR Abe lays groundwork for Putin summit in meeting with Russian deputy prime minister: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/10/02/national/politics-diplomacy/abe-lays-groundwork-putin-summit-meeting-russian-deputy-prime-minister/#.V_ce1ZOLTeR Subscribe to the Langley Esquire YouTube channel for more weekly videos! http://www.youtube.com/langleyesquire Tokyo on Fire is also available on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tokyo-on-fire!/id981400702?mt=2 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/langleyesquire To learn more about Langley Esquire, visit our website: http://www.langleyesquire.com
Comments
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I think if Abe wanted to push forward on constitutional reform based on the LDP's 2012 draft he would face resistance from many quarters. That draft is seriously flawed, and it may be that he thinks he has a better chance of advancing at least some of his agenda by cutting loose from it.
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Unlike UK, Canada, the Japanese Emperor is not legally the Japan head of state. He is the symbol of the state. His presence at the opening and closing of the Diet is as a symbol that has been approved as one of his public activities.
One thing I do not believe was mentioned re timing is the change in prefectural districts to bring elections closer to the levls deemed to be constitutional. Isn't that being set up for June 2017? I heard that some of the LDP want to run before that happens. -
How is it that the Emperor can't ask to be able to abdicate, because he can't be directly involved in politics in any way, yet he has the power to open and close sessions of the Diet?
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I understand the reasoning of moving the power to dissolve the diet to directly to the PM, but it is not unusual for constitutional monarchies to have the head/ symbol of state dissolve the government . In UK Canada and other commonwealth constitutional monarchies PM asks the head of state to dissolve the parliament.
P.S. good to see you back.