Hi, David san
This is the first time that I post my comment here, although I have read most of your articles these days.
Whenever I saw on the TV that someone said that Mr.Kan should be removed, I felt pity very much for Kan san. I think he has a strong sense of responsibility, that is why he sticks to the seat of Prime Minister.
Let me answer your questions:
1)I think Mr.Kan has done a good job, but not good enough. For example, I think he should go to the sites more frequently.
2)I don’t think Japan should choose a new prime minister. One reason is because re-choosing a prime minister is time-wasting, one reason is there are no other people who seem like more competent than Mr.Kan at the present.
3)Yes, Japanese people should be more interested in politics. If most of people in a country are becoming indifferent
to politics, then the country can’t be real democratic because its politics don’t reflect the will of major people.
Susan

•  匿名
• 2011年5月 2日 16:48

Hi David and everyone,

I must admit I'm one of those who don't really like to talk about politics, but I think it's high time I faced to politics seriously.

Here's my answer to your questions.

1) No, I don't. He hasn't been let do his job fully yet because many politicians or political groups have been making complaints against him. I really hope they stop complaining immediately and work together with the government to solve the Japan's problems and rebuild the Tohoku area.

2) No, I don't. I believe a prime minister does his/her job at least for 3 years. Any prime minister can't show the ability in such a short period.

3)Yes, I do. Thanks for your reminding us to do so.

•  tsuneko
• 2011年5月 2日 21:15

Hi, David-san

I come here at the first time.

I just read your article.
I'm sorry but I don't have comments for your article yet.

I think my English is not good enough.
However,I'd like to write some comments for now.

I'll do my best to make some comments for David-san's article next time.

See you soon.

•  masa
• 2011年5月 3日 01:31

Hi,David and everyone.

It is my first time that I comment on your blog.
I know my writing is not good enough.If you find some mistakes in my writing,please correct them strictly.

Anyway,I will answer your questions.

1)I think he has done a good job.
However,it is a fact that he made a wrong decision sometimse.
It takes time to make something.
Give his time and I hope he will make something of himself.

2)I do not think that Japan should choose a new prime minister now,either.
We are in face of an important issue, we have no time to choose a new prime minister.

3) To begin with, the whole idea, most
Japanese do not pay attention to the politicis,is open to question.

As far as I know,Japanese has an interest in the politics,however,we do not know how to express this interst or we are ashamed of telling it.

Rin

•  匿名
• 2011年5月 3日 04:39

Hi David,

This blog is kind of interesting because on Sundays or national holidays the number of comments is less than usual. I suppose it depends on frequent commentator's occupations.

Anyway, I'd like to answer your questions as follows:

1) Do you think Naoto Kan has done a good job?

I think not so good but not so bad.

2) Do you think Japan should choose a new prime minister?

I don't think now is a good time to change the prime minister in Japan yet. I think losing governing function in our government may affect evacuees.

3) Do you think ordinary Japanese people need to start becoming more interested in politics?

It sure is. At least, we have vote at every election. The people who don't vote have to understand the democracy's fundamental requirement before complaining.

Especially I don't like some politicians who only criticise the government.

By for now.

•  Gussan
• 2011年5月 3日 08:44

Hi David-san and everyone,
This is my first comment on this blog. Nice to meet you and I'm so glad to join in this circle.

Let me answer your questions

1) Amid the unprecedented crisis, he is working very hard ,but not doing a perfect job. He should ask LDP(自民党） for more supports　and help. LDP has a lot of experience and expertise for natural disaster coutermeasures including restoration plans. Temporarily forming a big coalition with LDP might be a good idea.

2) I don't think it's the time to change the prime minister in the midst of crisis. Now is the time for all political parties to work together to restore the affected areas in the Tohoku. After DPJ(民主党）finishes showing the perfect blueprint for restoration , P.M. Kan would resign from the premiership(this is only my guess).

3) Yes. More and more people need to be interested in politics . At least we should use our votes . Only people can change the world.

•  匿名
• 2011年5月 3日 13:07

Sorry, I forgot to leave my name. The above post was from Kyon.

•  Kyon
• 2011年5月 3日 14:06

Sorry, I forgot to leave my name. The post above was from Kyon.

•  Kyon
• 2011年5月 3日 14:07

Hi David and everyone,

Are you having great long holidays?

I went to Muro-zi and Hase-dera in Nara yesterday.
Flowers and fresh green leaves were very beautiful and I had a great time there. I walked, walked and walked! Luckily my legs sore a bit today(!), but I feel better now.

Let me share my thought with you:

(1) No, I don't think he has done sufficiently admitting that he has worked hard. In the midst of devastated crisis, Prime Minister(PM# Kan's decision making sometimes sounds wrong and slow.
I guess that he doesn't have the best and the brightest , or he hasn't listened to their advice.

#2) Yes, I think so.
Before the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, the rating of PM Kan-led government has already dropped to the lowest, and at that moment I would have said," The government need some more time.", however, at this moment we can't afford to wait for their future work patiently.
It's really stupid that politicians, regardless of LDP or DJP(←does this make sense?), accuse PM Kan and his government. Now is the time for all the politicians to work hard to solve Japan's problem, and is not the time to squabble, but PM kan's attitude doesn't seem to secure LDP cooperation and even DPJ's.
Having said that, I'm not sure the parties are able to request PM Kan to step down.

(3) Yes, definitely!

It's really nice to have lots of new members this week.
Hi,Susan,masa, Rin and Kyon, Nice to meet you too!

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2011年5月 3日 16:41

Hi David and everyone,
I hope you are all having a relaxing and wonderful golden-week holiday!

Hi Susan, Masa, Rin&Kyon,
Welcome to join us and nice to meet you!

These are my answers to David's questions.
1)It's hard to say if Kan has done a good job at the moment, but I believe he's been trying his best to do his job and he does take the responsibility for his people, that's why he sticks to the PM position( totally agree with Susan on this point). Quitting would be much easier than staying on. Opposite parties and even some people from DPJ criticize that Kan is lack of leadership,he should have done this or that, as though they are all better than him, it's so easy to just sit there to criticize! I'm sure nobody is working as hard as PM Kan at the moment. He needs time and support to handle all these disasters.
3)Like some others have said, I don't think it's a good timing to choose a new PM now. The first problem is that who would be the right person to replace him? Can you think of anyone and be sure he would do a better job than Naoto Kan? There are so many things to do right now rather than just pulling the PM down.
3)Yes, I think so, but I don't think the situation will change unless a PM who is attractive in both appearance and personality appears.

Hi Gussan,
Thanks for the India report, I enjoyed reading it. Does everyone need to bring a bar when walking on the road? That's quite scary!
Please tell us some more stories when you have time.

•  Ling
• 2011年5月 3日 17:44

Hi Anne,

I went to Hase-dera in Kamakura the other day, the temple was not so big but I got sore legs the next day too(lol)

•  Ling
• 2011年5月 3日 17:56

Hi David and everyone!

This is my first comment on this blog. It's very nice to meet you.

Let me answer your questions.

1)Yes,he has done a good job, such as accepting foreign aids immediately, and dispatching unprecedented numbers of Self-Defence Force.
Of course, some tactics could have been done better.But no one knows the perfect operations amid this disaster.
I think people have been doing wonderful jobs, victims have stayed calm and helped each other, and numerous volunteers have been working hard.This makes the efforts of the government look smaller. As Japanese, we could be proud of ourselves, but we don't need to blame the government and Mr.Kan.

2)No, changing the prime minster takes too much time and energy. Japanese have to focus on the reconstruction plans first.

3)Yes. If people are interested in politics more, this disaster would have at least one good effect on Japanese.

•  Abby
• 2011年5月 3日 21:36

Hi David and everyone,

I had a crazy busy day yesterday. A lot of customers visited our office. I ended up not having lunch and kept working until 8:30pm!! I started working at 8:45 in the morning, so I worked almost 12 hours!! That’s why I don’t like to work between holidays. I don’t want to go to work on this Friday. I am pretty sure that I will be busy like yesterday.
As for the topic, you know I don’t like these kinds of topics, or I should say, I am not familiar with politics. Also I still feel tired and it seems that my brain doesn’t work properly at the moment, so I will pass this topic. Anyway, you’ve got a lot of comments from other members. Thanks everyone :)

Hi Newcomers,

Glad to have you with us. look forward to hearing from you guys :)

amo

•  amo
• 2011年5月 3日 23:44

Hi everyone,

Nice to hear that lots of people are having wonderful holidays!
Glad to have a lot of new members. Nice to meet you. ^^

Here are my response to David's questions.

1) I think Mr.Kan has not been doing his job sufficiently but he has been doing his best.
The government hasn't solved the nuclear crisis yet, hasn't been supported disaster-hit areas and their people enough. But concerning this March 11 disaster, we are facing too much problems: earthuake, Tsunami and Fukushima Incident. So the top priority might be all the political parties cooperate and solve the huge problems as quickly as possible.
2) No, it's not the right time. I think many politicians just criticize PM or leading party but do nothing. If they blame them, why not they help them?
3) Yes, I think so. We should take more interest to politics. Because if we want to make our country to a better place, we should voice our ideas, not leave the decisions to others.

Good night.

Fumie

•  Fumie
• 2011年5月 4日 00:13

Welcome to the blog, Susan, Masa, Rin, Kyon, and Abby. It's great to have you all with us:)

Well, I don't like to talk about politics, but as David said, that may be(must be!) one of Japan's biggest problems, so I decided to write about my thoughts on the topic.

Here are my answers to the questions.

1) Do you think Naoto Kan has done a good job?

I think he is trying his best. His best may not be good enough, but I think it's too early to judge him.

2) Do you think Japan should choose a new prime minister?

No, I don't think so. Doing it now is just a waste of time. They have tons of other problems that should be solved. Attacking Mr. Kan will lead to nothing. I think they should stop arguing and work together to solve the problems right now. Personally, I don't really care who is the Prime Minister or which party takes control of the government as long as they stop wasting our money and try to build a better Japan and a better world.

3) Do you think ordinary Japanese people need to start becoming more interested in politics?

Yes, I think so, too. I can't blame those who are not interested in politics because I'm one of them, but I think we need to change to change Japan and make it better.

Hope you are enjoying your holiday.

Tomo

PS Gussan - Thanks for sharing your Indian stories!

•  Tomo
• 2011年5月 4日 01:21

Hi, David and everyone,
It's really pleasure to meet you, Susan, Masa, Rin, Kyon and Abby. I'm new here too, so it's very nice to have a lot of companies.

Hi, amo,
Could you have a nice rest today? I hope you did had a relaxing time with no rush, but I'm sure that you have to be getting ready for this Friday! And, I'll definitely have a busy day tomorrow!

Now,let me answer your questions.
I think what PM Kan's done so far is not good enough. I really do not mean to just complain to him because no one is doubt that he's working extremely hard to restore Tohoku region. However I saw evacuees spending a time in a shelter, day in and day out not knowing when they will able to afford ordinary lives to live with their loved ones almost clung to PM Kan to cry because they felt ignored by him when he visited there. I know he hasn't got much time to talk to all the people who are suffering from the tragedy, but I think he should, show his genuine sincerity and walk along with them.
Still, I do not think that it is the right time to change the Prime Minister. There is no time to think nor argue for who's going to take over the next seat. It sounds ridiculous that political parties are struggling to gain the power. They need to unite for the people who need to be saved from the grief, not for themselves and help the Prime Minister like Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano.
Yes, I think Japanese people should more get interested in politics.

I'll go to bed.
Good night and sweet dreams.
momo

•  momo
• 2011年5月 4日 01:28

Hi amo,

Oh poor amo. I feel sorry to hear your tough situation. Please take care of yourself. And I hope that the situation at your work would become better. In the meantime please enjoy rest of GW.

Fumie

•  Fumie
• 2011年5月 4日 07:00

Hi, David and everyone,

My thought what I wanted to was almost involved in Tomo's and momo's, and I think PM Kan is trying to make the situations even the slightest better.
When what's his name in the same Party as PM Kan attacked him, he said I can not quit for the Prime Minister untill all things has done.
I was glad to hear that. Because he do not try to get the way like taking responsibility as the former Prime MInisters. Really all things might work well, people who is interested in politics is increasing, I think.
So, I related to Ling's comment "Can you think of anyone and be sure he would do a better job than Naoto Kan?"
And here's my answer including from 1) to 3).

Hi amo,
It's over-worked! I'd like to see that you have a relaxing time!

Hi new members, Susan, Masa, Rin, Kyon and Abby,
Glad to have you with us, I'm new here for three weeks!

See you next comment.

•  Chiki
• 2011年5月 4日 22:43