“I don‘t know the reason for the decline in support” “I have nothing to reflect on” … Japan‘s Prime Minister Sanae Takashi‘s “shameless” attitude continues to stir up Japanese public opinion.
According to TV Asahi, Takashi was criticized for claiming in parliament that he did not know the reason for the decline in support. On July 27th, he was asked at a follow-up press conference if there were any points during this parliament that he should reflect on or learn from. To this, Takashi said, “I have nothing to reflect on. I have done everything I can to fulfill my policy commitments at the time of the election.”
Takaichi Sanae made a statement at a press conference on July 27th evening. Photograph: Japan Media.
Recently, Takashi has been strongly questioned by Japanese public opinion due to its attitude towards parliament and the LDP‘s forceful push for several controversial bills. Poll results from several Japanese media showed that Takashi‘s cabinet support rate had significantly declined in July.
Several Japanese media and people from various sectors have criticized Takaichi Sanae‘s attendance at parliamentary deliberations and answers, questioning his “disdain for parliament.” Takaichi has been criticized for avoiding attending parliamentary deliberations as much as possible. Honda Yuki, a professor of education at Tokyo University‘s graduate school, told the Japanese Daily News that Takaichi used mechanical fixed rhetoric to respond to answers, causing parliamentary deliberations to stagnate. She criticized Takaichi, the ruling party, and their supporters for lacking the proper reflection and sense of responsibility.
In this context, Takaichi still claims “I have nothing to reflect on,” causing many Japanese netizens to call him “shameless.”
Some Japanese netizens said: “There are already many Japanese citizens who are reflecting. Reflecting on why they support you.”
One Japanese netizen wrote: “Although the prime minister claims there is nothing to reflect on, there should be many Japanese citizens who regret having placed expectations on her.”
Some Japanese netizens said: “‘There is nothing to reflect on’? There are too many problems. Nothing good has happened since she became prime minister. She is the worst Japanese prime minister in history. I really want her to disappear as soon as possible.”
Professor of Politics at the Hosei University’s Graduate School, Professor Shiratori Hiroshi, commented: “Generally speaking, no matter what kind of work it is, there are always areas worth reflecting on. To the objective question, Takaichi Sanae’s answer was the subjective opinion that ‘I have already tried hard’… A leader should possess the ability to examine himself objectively. In the future, it is necessary to conduct objective third-party scrutiny on whether there are areas worth reflecting on during this term of parliament.”
According to TV Asahi, Liberal Democratic Party insiders also expressed dissatisfaction with Takaichi Sanae‘s remarks in interviews. Several Prime Minister insiders said “truths” in interviews with reporters, saying “How can there be nothing to reflect on?” and “These words are a bit redundant.” The report also reported that several Liberal Democratic Party insiders recently complained in interviews that “I have never seen such chaotic parliamentary deliberations.”
In addition, Tokyo News and other Japanese media reported that earlier on the 27th, Takaichi Sanae was asked in parliament about the reasons why recent media polls showed a significant decline in cabinet support. To this, Takaichi claimed: “It‘s difficult for me to analyze it myself, and I don’t know the specific reasons.” Asahi News commented that Takaichi Sanae‘s words and actions completely do not show an attitude of self-reflection.