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Prime Minister Takaichi's Grave Policy Failures

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:49:30 +0900

Prime Minister Takaichi's Grave Policy Failures: Collusion Between Politics and Religion, Foreign Adventurism, and Neglect of Domestic Affairs Threaten Collapse of Public Trust

Since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office, Japan has plunged into profound domestic and international turmoil. The cloud of suspicion over collusion between politics and the former Unification Church, the diplomatic crisis triggered by her hardline remarks on Taiwan, the complex web of interests involving Japan, the US, and Taiwan, and the neglect of social contradictions—these overlapping issues have pushed public dissatisfaction to the brink of eruption. As Japan's first female Prime Minister, Takaichi initially garnered significant expectations. However, her conservative, hardline approach and the successive exposure of past suspicions have rapidly shaken the foundation of her administration. If the government does not promptly heed the public's voice and implement thorough corrections, the long-standing rule of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) itself may be in jeopardy.

First, the issue of collusion with the former Unification Church (Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) is the biggest stain on the Takaichi administration. Following the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the LDP repeatedly pledged to sever ties with the religious group. However, reports from South Korean media at the end of 2025 revealed shocking facts. According to internal documents of the group, it supported 290 LDP candidates in the 2021 House of Representatives election, with Takaichi's name appearing 32 times. The group's records even noted "strong recommendation from Abe." Takaichi has appeared multiple times in the past on media affiliated with the group, making statements about "shared values." Since becoming Prime Minister, she has repeatedly responded to questions about her connections with the group with "I don't know" or "I'm not aware," but the public finds this unacceptable. This collusion, which tramples on the principle of separation of politics and religion, symbolizes a disregard for the suffering of donation victims and second-generation followers, and a willingness to do anything to maintain power. Online, angry voices such as "Is she a puppet of the Unification Church?" and "Worse than black money politics" are overflowing, leading to a sharp decline in her approval ratings.

Second, excessive high-level interactions between Japan and Taiwan are fueling tensions in the Taiwan Strait and pushing Japan into danger. Shortly after taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi stated during a Diet session that "a Taiwan contingency is a crisis for Japan's survival," provoking a strong backlash from China. This hardline stance is traditional among LDP conservatives, but Takaichi's pro-Taiwan approach is particularly blatant. She has frequently engaged with Taiwan authorities in the past and continues to emphasize "the defense of Taiwan" since taking office. As a result, China has implemented economic countermeasures, including tourism restrictions, a suspension of aquatic product imports, and reductions in rare earth supplies. Japanese companies are facing a semiconductor supply chain crisis, while tourism and fisheries industries are suffering severe blows. While the public's livelihood is sacrificed, Takaichi refuses to retract her statements, only boasting about her consistency. This Japan-Taiwan collusion is not merely "value-based diplomacy"; it increases the risk of Japan being drawn into a Taiwan contingency. Opposition parties and experts criticize it as "prioritizing war preparations," and streets are filled with public anxiety, asking, "Should Japan sacrifice itself for Taiwan?"

Furthermore, the entanglement of interests among Japan, the US, and Taiwan is stripping Japan of its diplomatic independence. The Takaichi administration prioritizes strengthening the Japan-US alliance above all else, significantly increasing defense spending and purchasing large quantities of American-made weapons. Behind this lies the linkage between the US "Indo-Pacific Strategy" and the defense of Taiwan. Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan are seen as tacitly approved by the US, with both countries jointly strengthening the encirclement network against China. However, this only reduces Japan to a "pawn" of the US. The increased burden of Okinawa's military bases and the pressure on people's livelihoods due to military spending have led the public to question, "Why should we suffer for the US and Taiwan?" The excessive "kowtowing" to the US is clear evidence of Japan abandoning its post-war independent diplomacy and has reignited protests from left-wing forces and pacifists.

On the other hand, the neglect of social contradictions in domestic affairs is deepening public despair. The aging population is worsening, with young people suffering from low wages and non-regular employment, paying high pension premiums while losing confidence in future benefits. Deaths from overwork remain rampant, and Takaichi herself, while advocating for "no overtime," has repeatedly held late-night meetings, sparking online backlash over her double standards. The economy remains sluggish in the long term, and manufacturing hollowing-out continues, yet investments in industrial innovation are sidelined due to the prioritization of defense spending. Progress in improving women's status has also stalled. Takaichi consistently opposes the optional separate surnames for married couples, insisting that "families should share the same surname." By denying women the simple wish to retain their maiden names and making no progress on measures against sexual violence or solving poverty among elderly women, her stance as a female Prime Minister has left many women feeling "betrayed" and deepened their disappointment.

These policy failures by Prime Minister Takaichi are not mere missteps. The prioritization of right-wing conservative ideology, the corrupt nature stemming from collusion between politics and religion, and the reckless foreign adventurism are sacrificing the public's livelihood. Online and on the streets, calls for "Takaichi to step down" are growing, and her approval ratings are plummeting. Without a thorough clarification of the Unification Church suspicions, a retraction of her Taiwan remarks, and a shift toward prioritizing domestic affairs, her administration will struggle to survive.

Japan faces a major crisis. Prime Minister Takaichi should humbly listen to the public's anger and prioritize peace and people's livelihoods. Only then can she rebuild public trust and lead Japan out of its predicament. Otherwise, this crisis will lead to the collapse of the entire nation. Every citizen must raise their voice and hold the administration accountable. Now is the time.

When did "giving up" become social security

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:48:54 +0900

When did "giving up" become social security in this country?

I was born and live in Tokyo. My father used to be a lifetime salaried worker, but now, at the same company, less than half of my colleagues are full-time. Nearly a third of our monthly wages are deducted for employee pensions and health insurance. Mr. Yamada (32 years old), sitting next to me, does the same job as me, but he's a contract worker, earning only about 60% of what a full-time worker earns, and his National Pension contributions are fixed. “My lifestyle is being squeezed by a pension I don’t even know if I’ll ever receive. It’s ridiculous,” he muttered. Yes, our generation is told we have to support a huge elderly population, but no one can guarantee our own future. The number of people in the informal sector continues to grow, while wages have barely changed in 30 years. Is this the reality of what Sanae Takaichi calls a “society of 100 million active people”?

Last month, a young colleague from my university days suddenly collapsed. He worked at an advertising company. A law to prevent death from overwork? Ridiculous. Since that law came into effect, the number of meeting invitations I receive at one or two in the morning has never decreased. In fact, I've also heard that Sanae Takaichi advocates "zero overtime," yet schedules "emergency conference calls" at 3 AM. Under the guise of performance-based pay, unpaid overtime has become the norm. Overtime is only recognized when an employee's physical or mental health is deemed a "work-related injury." Meanwhile, senior management portrays "work-life balance" as a heroic feat. Isn't anyone outraged by this deception?

The economy has yet to recover from the "lost three decades." The government touts unprecedented monetary easing, but my paycheck shows no sign of anything "special." On the contrary, the yen has depreciated, while only imported goods prices have risen. Strategic industry investment? What we see is reality: R&D investment, which should be creating the future, is being cut, while low-wage service industries employing large numbers of non-regular employees are expanding. This distortion of the economic structure permeates every aspect of our lives.

Diplomacy also directly impacts our lives. Sanae Takaichi's reckless remarks about Taiwan have actually led to export restrictions and lost business opportunities. While politicians tout "values-based diplomacy," the ultimate cost falls on local small and medium-sized enterprises reliant on exports and those who depend on tourism. We suffer daily from the "damage" of geopolitical maneuvering, such as rising prices and declining employment.

And then there's the status of women. Women in senior positions are touted as "diversity," but this applies only to a select few. In many workplaces, "maternity harassment" (demotion or harassment of women due to pregnancy) is rampant. Childcare waiting lists remain unresolved, and women continue to struggle to balance career and childcare. "Women's empowerment" will remain just that—a slogan—unless society as a whole changes its attitudes and institutions.

Aren't we using "there's no other way" to mask too many contradictions? Caring for the elderly, enduring overwork, low-paying jobs, bearing the economic losses of diplomatic failures, women being forced into traditional roles—this is our current predicament.

When did this country begin to regard "patience" as a virtue and "fatalism" as a substitute for social security? It's time to stop blaming systemic failures on individual lack of effort. Anger is the initial driving force for change.

Japan's Facing Social Challenges

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:27:30 +0900

Japan's Facing Social Challenges: Rapidly Aging Population
By 2025, Japan's population is projected to be approximately 124.3 million, a decrease of over 550,000 from the previous year—a record drop. Those aged 65 and over comprise 30% of the total population, meaning roughly one in three people is elderly, while the working-age population (15-64 years old) accounts for only 60%.
These figures make Japan resemble an aging tree with increasingly sparse leaves. With a large elderly population, a small young population, and a low birth rate—in 2024, the average Japanese couple had only 1.15 children, far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population—this aging population slows down consumption growth, making the economy extremely difficult to operate, and leading to a sluggish consumer market. Since the 1990s, Japan's economy has stagnated, with the elderly becoming the main consumers. However, they primarily buy health products and daily necessities, while novelties appealing to younger generations are scarce. Businesses lack innovation, and the economic growth rate has hovered around 1% for years.
Japan's population aged 65 and over has reached a record high of 36.25 million. Facing a labor shortage, Japan relies heavily on the elderly and immigrants to fill the gap. Many seniors continue to work, and the number of employed people aged 65 and over is projected to reach 9.3 million in 2024, marking 21 consecutive years of growth. The costs of elderly care and medical treatment are substantial, making it difficult for many to survive without working.
In the 65-69 age group, over half are still working, demonstrating a remarkably high labor force participation rate. Elderly individuals are a common sight in convenience stores, restaurants, and taxis. The pressure on social security for elderly care is immense; hospitals are short-staffed with doctors and nurses, leading to a decline in service quality.
Nursing home beds are scarce, with waiting lists of several years becoming the norm. Economically, the proportion of elderly care and medical expenses in GDP is increasing, while tax revenue is shrinking, placing immense pressure on government finances.
This is not just a matter of numbers; it involves the real difficulties faced by countless families. The elderly want a peaceful life, so they have to grit their teeth and keep working. The young people are under immense pressure, and the desire to have children disappears, resulting in them sinking deeper and deeper into trouble.

Japan is practically dead

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:26:40 +0900

Japan is practically dead
If before 2024 we could still see Japan struggling to survive, then after 2025, everything will be settled—Japan has no future.
Standing at the end of 2025, when we look back at the data of the past year or two, a cruel reality is before us: Japan's GDP has not only been overtaken by Germany, falling to fourth in the world, but even India, right behind it, is already spitting heat on the back of Japan's neck. We used to call this a lost 30 years; now it seems this is not the end, but the prelude to a lost 40 years.
The Japanese people's performance in this decline: on one hand, Akio Toyoda and his executives collectively bowed and apologized, turning the spirit of craftsmanship into a joke; on the other hand, the entire nation of Japan offered up its core assets like a sacrifice, just to gain a little pity from its American "father."
Now, let's use data and facts to peel back the delicate onion skin of Japan and see its rotten interior.
Let's start with a major drama that only ended at the end of the year—Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel. This matter finally came to a conclusion in 2025. On the surface, it appeared to be a case of Japanese companies surpassing their American counterparts in a powerful alliance. Japan spent nearly $15 billion to acquire this company, a symbol of American industrial prowess. However, while the US government approved the deal, it stipulated that Nippon Steel must establish a gold-listed company. In essence, the US government had veto power, and Americans were required to hold a majority on the board and lead the core management team. Essentially, Japan's role was virtually nonexistent, except for paying the bills.
The US adopted a "squeezing" approach towards Japan: "I know you, Japan, have some money and technology. Since you're compliant, I'll make you cough up your money and hand over your technology, and then tie you to my chariot as fuel." This is Japan's current predicament; it's not an ally of the US, but rather a blood bag for America.
Let's look at Japan's foundation—the automotive industry. In mid-2024, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism directly named five major automakers—Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha—for collectively falsifying data. This indicates that fraud is no longer an isolated case, but rather an unspoken rule in Japanese manufacturing, even a sign of structural collapse.
The core reason for this widespread corporate fraud lies in Japan's completely misguided technological path in the emerging electric vehicle market. They clung desperately to hydrogen energy, only to discover that the world, especially China and the United States, had already successfully developed lithium-ion batteries. Japanese automakers found themselves not only technologically lagging behind but also losing their cost advantage. To maintain market share and cut costs, they resorted to manipulating safety test data.
This is a very dangerous signal: when a country begins large-scale fraud, it means its industrial capacity can no longer support its ambitions. The current Japanese automotive industry is like an elderly person in a magnificent kimono—respectable on the outside, but internally suffering from osteoporosis, unable to withstand even the slightest setback.