Ryo Miyoshi, Former Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bureaucrat, Reflects on Prime Minister Kishida’s Stint as Foreign Minister
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s state visit to the U.S. has been the target of much ridicule and criticism
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faced criticism after making remarks such as a historic turning point and a normal country capable of war during an interview with US CNN broadcast ahead of his state visit to the United States, as reported by the Chosun Ilbo and other outlets. Furthermore, during his visit to the US, he referred to China as a ally during a joint press conference with the US President, and shared smiling photos with President Biden inside the presidential car, inviting mockery and criticism.
At times like this, both online and in real life, voices can be heard saying, “I thought he was a more sensible person before becoming prime minister.” But what is the reality?
“I’ve never heard anyone speak badly about Mr. Kishida during his time as Foreign Minister, although Mr. Motegi was heavily criticized. I’ve heard from former colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that there was something called the ‘Motegi Manual,’ referring to how Mr. Motegi required both cold and hot towels, and how the atmosphere in the minister’s office was tense when he was around, with everyone standing rigidly upright.
Even during official trips, ministerial staff usually don’t accompany the minister, but Mr. Motegi insisted on having them accompany him, which caused dissatisfaction, especially considering the cost of using charter flights, which amounted to millions of yen.”
These remarks come from Ryo Miyoshi, the head of the Reiwa Shinsengumi Kanagawa 2nd District branch. A former Foreign Ministry bureaucrat, now 38 years old, he is fluent in four languages and currently studying Korean.
Americans look down on people who don’t have their own ideas and are petulant.
After graduating from high school, Mr. Miyoshi studied in the United States for six years starting at age 19. However, feeling a desire to establish an equal relationship with America and wanting to change politics, he entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2013 with the idea of learning diplomacy first. He’s somewhat of an unconventional figure.
“When I was studying in America, I realized how much Japanese people were being ridiculed and looked down upon. Americans look down on those who don’t have their own opinions and just kowtow. Among Asians, there was a particularly strong impression that Japan’s politics and diplomacy were being ridiculed. Not just by Americans, but by people from other countries as well, often saying ‘Japan is America’s colony.’
That was embarrassing, and it strengthened my desire to change Japan’s relationship with the US.
However, when I entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I was not sent to my desired America but to Russia. There, I was involved in preparations for President Putin’s visit to Japan, Japan-Russia foreign ministerial meetings, and Japan-Russia summit meetings, as well as interpretation work. But at the same time, I felt that Japan was declining rapidly due to vested interests. After seven years, upon returning to Japan, I realized that the situation was much worse than what I had observed from the outside.
So, I thought that if the Liberal Democratic Party’s politics continued as they were, it would be disastrous, and that’s why I quit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and knocked on the door of the Reiwa Shinsengumi.”
