[claudeganon]

I wish I understood the origin of all the pro-Abe PR narratives in the US. In Japan, he’s immensely unpopular and emblematic of the country’s corrupt, one-party democracy.

His supposed “revitalization” of the Japanese economy has done little more than further impoverish average people, so he can hand out tax benefits to the wealthy and his cronies. He’s dismantled press freedom in a way that other politicians on the far right only dream of, having fired or demoted several prominent journalists who voiced (by Western standards) mild criticism of him.

[bonchicbongenre]

The origin seems pretty obvious to me — Abe is part of the old guard, a plutocrat and moral conservative, like his propagandist supporters in the US media. Doesn't take any squinting to see their interests align

[claudeganon]

Yes, it was inaccurate for me to question the origin. I should've said its surprising to me that otherwise educated people still fall for these narratives.

[Klonoar]

Blind idolization of Japan runs deeper than you might expect, especially in communities like the one we’re typing on.

When I lived there, I could never find anyone who liked him... but then again as a society it’s not quite like the west where political engagement is high.