Why would anyone shoot Shinzo Abe?

[rockcasbah]

Is it a sign of anti-american sentiment in japan?

 

[rockcasbah]

the Japanese doctors at the news conference are desperately trying to avoid saying Abe was killed instantly.

Must be cultural.

 

[BBanned]

Trump!

 

[rockcasbah]

Trump!

Like I said, anti-american sentiment.

 

[Chobham]

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that it has more to do with his initiative re. enhancing Japan's military. He's been a very polarizing figure in Japan WRT that subject up to and including taking Japan nuclear.

 

[rockcasbah]

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that it has more to do with his initiative re. enhancing Japan's military. He's been a very polarizing figure in Japan WRT that subject up to and including taking Japan nuclear.

We’re saying the same thing…. Abe was right wing by Jap standards, enhancing the military to synch with American Pacific capabilities.

Ironic though to kill him with a gun, if it was traditional jap non-aggressionists.

 

[Chobham]

Anti-American, Anti-nuclear, who the hell knows? Maybe he didn't kiss the guys baby at some time. Small things can become big insults over there.

 

[rockcasbah]

Either way it’s odd.

Much like the Brit Conservatives blowing up their big majority over a few fibs about drinks and ass grabbing.

 

[lanceGibs]

While i am no Nipponophile ,under the surface of the highly conformist Japanese society ( very different from any other ethnic group) there are schisms which manifest in very strange individual behaviour, though rarely.
The assassin is an ex Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force ( Navy) officer and would have led a highly regulated and disciplined life. Makes it all the more perplexing to understand the incident for a gaijin (foreigner). ...but thats the way it happens, though very infrequently.
Another possible cause could be that Abe was considered an ultra nationalist who endeavored to revise Article 9 of the Constitution (which spells out nonmilitary pacifism for the nation). Some elements amongst the Nipponese power elite are strongly opposed to such a change

 

[rockcasbah]

Exactly…. Shot by a pacifist?

 

[Chobham]

Exactly…. Shot by a pacifist?

If so you do have to appreciate the irony.

 

[eigenschwarz]

Exactly…. Shot by a pacifist?

I dunno. If you can prevent your country from re-militarizing or going to war by shooting the right guy, I suppose it's possible to rationalize doing so with enough effort. One life to save many?

 

[rockcasbah]

I dunno. If you can prevent your country from re-militarizing or going to war by shooting the right guy, I suppose it's possible to rationalize doing so with enough effort. One life to save many?

I doubt shooting a former PM will change much…..

 

[eigenschwarz]

I doubt shooting a former PM will change much…..

I said it could be rationalized, not that it was actually rational.

 

[Chobham]

According to the most recent comments out of Japan the assassination was not political. It was based on the killer thinking that Abe was part of some super secret organization that the killer had a beef with. An organization that the government has no knowledge of its existence. Strange shit.