Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a policy speech during a Lower House plenary session on Oct. 23. (Takeshi Iwashita)

This column decisively stated at the start of a piece 66 years ago: “It is very good for the prime minister to speak frankly and mince no words.”

It was in reference to Prime Minister Tanzan Ishibashi (1884-1973), who was in office for only 65 days. But he is attracting attention now with this year being the 50th anniversary of his death.

“If making myself popular with everybody is my priority, I would be doing a terrible disservice to the country,” Ishibashi stated in his first public address. “Please be warned that I may do things you will hate me for.”

He certainly pulled no punches. His language could even be called uncouth. Still, his resolve to be true to his political vision was loud and clear.

I can well see why the people appreciated and welcomed his spirit.

Now, how about our Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who delivered his policy speech on Oct. 23?

With his Cabinet approval rating hitting rock bottom, Kishida talked about giving back tax revenues to payers, pushing wage hikes and so on. The words “buttering up” kept popping up in my mind.

Come to think of it, over the last two years we have been made to listen to a slew of grandiose slogans, including “different-dimension measures to deal with the nation’s chronically low birthrate.”

But nothing has materialized to date. And as indicated by the low voter turnouts for the latest simultaneous Upper House and Lower House by-elections, haven’t voters become strongly disenchanted with Japanese politics?

We’ve had enough of empty words. What does Kishida want to do? I want him to say words that tell me--in no uncertain words--what his true political aspirations are.

Late in his life, Ishibashi uttered these words of wisdom: “The most boring type of politicians are those who have no opinions of their own.”

--The Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 24

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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.

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