Photo/Illutration A man is held by security officers in Moscow on Jan. 31. (The Asahi Shimbun)

Blue underwear for men has become a symbol of the wave of protests against President Vladimir Putin that is sweeping across Russia.

Young Russians are taking to the streets in protest, driven by anger over the government’s brutal attempts to silence opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has been decrying rampant corruption in the country’s business and political communities.

Last summer, Navalny barely survived an assassination attempt. He claimed Russian agents placed a nerve agent in the lining of his blue underwear. The anti-corruption activist was arrested upon his return to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent months recovering from the poisoning. Thousands of protesters were detained.

Toilet brushes are another symbol of the movement. Navalny has uncovered that Putin owns an opulent palace on Russia's Black Sea coast, built as a bribe to the president. Italian toilet brushes costing 90,000 yen ($859.52) apiece are used at the palace, according to Navalny's video expose.

The video shows a property that looks like a royal palace built on a vast tract of land and equipped with a theater, winery and various other luxury facilities.

Putin has revised the Constitution to make it possible for him to stay in power as president until 2036, when he will be 83. He has also secured lifetime immunity from criminal or administrative liability.

Putin’s behavior reminds me of a psychological theory known as the “hedonic treadmill.” As a person running on a treadmill can never reach any destination, people’s sense of happiness does not last long even when they satisfy their desire. Their expectations and desires rise in tandem instead. Putin’s lust for power is apparently insatiable.

Referring to the long-time rule of a German administration, Putin himself once said that the people of any country will become sick and tired if one leader remains in power as long as 16 years.

But Putin has been ruling Russia for 20 years, first as president then as prime minister and then again as president. Does he intend to continue suppressing people protesting against his crackdown on his critics?

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 31

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

CORRECTION

This Vox Populi, Vox Dei column was corrected on Feb. 8, 2021.

The eighth paragraph originally read: “Referring ironically to German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s long rule, Putin himself once said that the people of any country will become sick and tired if one leader remains in power as long as 16 years.” But Putin did not refer to Merkel’s government.

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