I don’t quite agree with amplifying the political or personal message of a murderer, as it seems like rewarding the act with publicity, encouraging more of it.
The Crime That Killed Shinzo Abe
161–170 of 494 posts
Re: The Crime That Killed Shinzo Abe
#162Earlier quoted context omitted.
In the US all radio and TV stations also have to get and renew licenses from the government to be allowed to broadcast.
And online people have to effectively renew a license from Google to broadcast
Not really.
TV station: You operate without a license or outside of its bounds, you've committed a criminal act. The government can use their monopoly on force to compel you to give up your resources (fines) or your freedom (jail time).
Youtube: You break the terms of service and are no longer allowed to use their service.
There are other video platforms, there are ways to self host video. No one needs a "license" from Google to get their video content available to the world.
If you want to swim in Google's pool and get the benefits of hanging around the other millions of people in Google's pool, maybe it's a good idea not to take a ** in it.
Re: The Crime That Killed Shinzo Abe
#163Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why aren't the major Japanese media outlets covering this angle before the polls close in Japan's upper house elections (today)?
Isn’t it controversial whether or not he did have a connection? There is a value of free speech in Japan but it’s not exactly like America’s, and I think the Japanese media would mostly avoid stirring the pot immediately prior to an election, and especially for a claim that may be unfounded. I won’t argue whether their approach is the right one or not and this is just my opinion, but that seems like that would be why…
> Isn’t it controversial whether or not he did have a connection?
Controversial like linking the Kashoggi's death to the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman[1], but then participating to the G20 summit in Riyadh or selling them billions worth of weapons (including combat aircrafts), like nothing happened?
Re: The Crime That Killed Shinzo Abe
#164I don't completely buy the "religious group" reason given by the assassin. It might just be a convenient cover story for any "State Actors" behind the assassination. Shinzo Abe had been a real thorn in the side of China and North Korea by pushing a hard-line approach towards them. He had tremendous worldwide political/economic clout and was instrumental in establishing the "Pacific Quad" as a real challenge to China…
Abe was hardly the most anti-China or anti-North Korea MP, and he was no longer prime minister for years anyway.
Not only would China or North Korea not get anything out of assassinating him, if they were discovered to have done so this would make Japan even more anti-China and anti-North Korea.
So this theory doesn't really seem that likely.
Re: The Crime That Killed Shinzo Abe
#165As an incidental remark:
I find it remarkable that on the surface I now know of three G7 countries / liberal democracies where the PM/President is the (grand)son of a PM/President himself.
Bush Sr - Bush Jr
Pierre Trudeau - Justin Trudeau
Nobusuke Kishi - (Shintaro Abe; FM) - Shinzo Abe
[Honorary mention: France with "Le Pen" both father & daughter made it to the second round in the presidential elections (2002; 2017 and 2022)]
Re: The Crime That Killed Shinzo Abe
#166I don't completely buy the "religious group" reason given by the assassin. It might just be a convenient cover story for any "State Actors" behind the assassination. Shinzo Abe had been a real thorn in the side of China and North Korea by pushing a hard-line approach towards them. He had tremendous worldwide political/economic clout and was instrumental in establishing the "Pacific Quad" as a real challenge to China…
How would China or North Korea convince a Japanese soldier to openly kill his leader and face death penalty? There is very little social exchange between these countries, extremely few foreigners speaks Japanese, I just don't see how they could indoctrinate him to such a degree that he would give up his own life for that cause.
Extremely few people give up their life for a cause even when they grew up in that society, so I really don't think that this is plausible at all.
Re: The Crime That Killed Shinzo Abe
#167Earlier quoted context omitted.
The previous poster did say "democratic". Despite the fig leaf of elections, Singapore has been ruled by the same party since independence, which straight up owns all licensed newspapers, TV and radio stations. Bonus points: the TV/radio wing has the delightfully Orwellian name of MediaCorp, and MediaCorp Radio at one point had the amazing slogan "MediaCorp Radio: Your choice!".
so what makes Japan more democratic? (is there some power consolidation index that can distinguish between Singapore and Japan effectively?)
Opposition candidates who might have a chance are not systematically made ineligible on bogus charge of tax evasion or contempt of court like in Singapore.
As an example, John Tan was disqualified for standing as a candidate to the parliament in 2019 because he posted a Facebook post in support of an activist who posted than Malaysian courts were more independent than Singapore ones in trials involving politicians.
Re: The Crime That Killed Shinzo Abe
#168Re: The Crime That Killed Shinzo Abe
#169"Why the Japanese media has refused to identify the “religious group” that formed the motive for the killing must remain as speculation at this juncture, though it reflects very poorly on Japan’s status as a democratic nation." Because they aren't stupid. When you name names and provide ample details you have given the killer things that encourage others - infamy, a platform to spread their message, etc. In the US, w…
My guess as to why you're not getting replies because the content of your comment is highly polarizing, contains assertions as absolutes rather than points of debate, and would likely result in camp vs. camp which will play out ad infinitum.
Re: The Crime That Killed Shinzo Abe
#170Japanese people I know are adamant that Abe had no ties or did ever voice support for the Moon sect, ever. I am now wondering if Abe had kept it secret and the shooter somehow found out.
If the cult ruined his life and he took it out on the first politician he could somehow link to them, the problem is not whether such politician really had such relationship, but the fact that such idea was credible in the first place. Are cults in Japan tolerated a bit too much, leaving them free to ruin's people lives? Are politicians just sitting by, or even enabling such cults? Those should be the questions people have to ask, if the aim is to avoid a repeat. This is particularly true when you look at the fact that such cults were directly responsible for past terrorist activity in Japan.