Japanese Prime Ministers?

**ICantSpellDawg** · 09-01-2008, 14:13

What is the deal with these guys? It isn't like there terms are that long - 2 years.
Japan has had 12 Prime ministers since 1989 - two of whom were out of office in 2 months!

Junichiro Koizumi is the only one to be in office for more than 2 1/2 years. Is this what the office was designed for? I barely learn how to say their name fluently by the time they are gone.

The last two guys were gone in 1 year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...sters_of_Japan

I realize that it is part tradition, but it is kind of crazy to me. It must be working though...

Abe in surprise resignation
Fukuda in surprise resignation

**Ronin** · 09-01-2008, 14:34

maybe a society that is all about personal responsibility towards the group and falling on your sword doesn´t make for long terms in office.....

**JR-** · 09-01-2008, 14:44

maybe democracy is a rather thinner veneer in Japan than it is accused of being in the UK/US.

**lars573** · 09-01-2008, 17:22

Originally Posted by TuffStuffMcGruff

What is the deal with these guys? It isn't like there terms are that long - 2 years.
Japan has had 12 Prime ministers since 1989 - two of whom were out of office in 2 months!

Junichiro Koizumi is the only one to be in office for more than 2 1/2 years. Is this what the office was designed for? I barely learn how to say their name fluently by the time they are gone.

The last two guys were gone in 1 year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...sters_of_Japan

I realize that it is part tradition, but it is kind of crazy to me. It must be working though...

Abe in surprise resignation
Fukuda in surprise resignation

Parlimentary government can be like that. Short and messy. Look at British PM's. Until then 60's most never served more than a year or two. Canada has had the same. Modern PM's serve many masters. Electorate, party, state. They serve at the whim of their party. They have no term of office. They can come and go quickly. Although Japan seems to have a slight difference in that they can change party leaders and it doesn't automatically trigger a general election.

**Kralizec** · 09-02-2008, 20:31

Fukuda's LPD has been handling the government reins for over 50 years and for the most part without any credible opposition. Because they're so entrenched, most of the political infighting is in-party strife, wich would partly explain why ministers don't last long.

**ICantSpellDawg** · 09-03-2008, 06:06

Who will be the next Prime Minister? Yuriko Koike or Taro Aso?

**seireikhaan** · 09-03-2008, 07:07

Well at least when the Japanese PM's

up, they take some responsibility for it.

**KarlXII** · 09-05-2008, 00:53

Ask Dave, he'll tell you it's because Tojo's ghost has come back as Nanci Pelosi and the Japanese are murderers and don't deserve government because, you know, they're less than human because they're not American and they're Asian and stuff.

**Strike For The South** · 09-05-2008, 01:48

Originally Posted by SwedishFish

Ask Dave, he'll tell you it's because Tojo's ghost has come back as Nanci Pelosi and the Japanese are murderers and don't deserve government because, you know, they're less than human because they're not American and they're Asian and stuff.

Sarcasm. Sarcasm. Sarcasm.