(Untitled)

[sparklebiscuit]

So, Fukuda resigned last night.

Is anyone aware of the implications of this?  I am not exactly versed in any way in Japanese politics, but I have to wonder, since it was on pretty much every channel but NHK last night.

Comments

[theanphibian]

I think this guy got a grip on the situation pretty well:

http://www.japaneconomynews.com/2008/09/01/fukuda-steps-down-foriegn-media-doesnt-get-why/

Mr Fukuda’s resignation means that a special session of the diet will have to be called in addition to the extraordinary session. This gives the ruling party an extra 30 days to pass the bills they would otherwise not be able to get through in a shortened extraordinary session - this is a huge middle finger to the New Komeito Party and means that the extension to the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean will get fifity-nined through the diet - though the foreign media doesn’t get this.

Lots of people are throwing around stuff about the economy, but it's simply not related. About a week ago, Mori said on national TV that Fukuda was essentially done for. That was pretty much the final straw.

Now Aso, the presumptive nominee is left with a huge mess on his hands, just like Fukuda was from Abe. The LDP is going to come under greater pressure to hold a snap election, New Kometo got shafted, and public support of all the parties is down the toilet.