Shinji Ishimaru Expresses Concern Over Reduced Influence with Same-Generation Prime Ministers

At the Paris Olympics, which concluded on August 12, the Japanese team won a record 20 gold medals, making the entire Japanese archipelago fixated on the Olympics.

With the end of the Olympics, Nagatacho is now in a frenzy over Prime Minister Kishida’s decision not to run for re-election. Potential successors to Kishida include former Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, Digital Minister Taro Kono, Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, and among the younger generation, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 43, and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, known as ‘Kobahawk.’

“In this situation, it’s clear that Ishimaru doesn’t have a role to play. The media doesn’t seem inclined to feature Ishimaru at this timing,” says a television industry insider.

Originally, Ishimaru made his rise through online strategies, so perhaps television and newspapers are ‘out of sight’ for him. However, the sharp decline in media exposure also carries the risk of being treated as a thing of the past.

“Moreover, in the party leadership election, Shinjiro Koizumi, who is one year older, has suddenly emerged as a leading candidate. If Koizumi becomes the next Prime Minister, it is certain that he will become a symbol of the rejuvenation of politics. The value of Shinji Ishimaru’s presence, who is of the same generation, might diminish,” says a political insider.

In a July YouTube program ‘ReHacQ – Rehack,’ Ishimaru was offered a chance to have a conversation with Koizumi and responded with a smile:

“I’m absolutely up for it!”

However, as the leadership election intensifies, it is unclear whether Koizumi will go out of his way to participate in the conversation.

“There have been reports in Weekly Bunshun that, despite having a secret meeting with Tadashi Yanai, Chairman and CEO of Fast Retailing, Shinji Ishimaru failed to secure his support. Although Ishimaru, who prides himself as an economic expert with a banking background, did not meet Yanai’s expectations. Ishimaru himself has not changed his assertive stance, but this incident might affect him like a body blow in the future,” says an economic magazine writer.

Ishimaru has avoided making clear statements about his future. There is also speculation that a general election might follow the leadership election, and the political scene is in a state of flux.

“At that time, what will Ishimaru do? If he does not take any action, he will be no different from a mere commentator. Especially if peers like Shinjiro Koizumi or Takayuki Kobayashi become Prime Minister, Ishimaru’s presencemight rapidly diminish. His ‘strength’ lies in his confrontation with the old guard of existing political parties,” says the aforementioned television industry insider.

During his time as mayor of Akitakata City, his SNS posts criticizing elderly ‘sleepy’ politicians became a hot topic, significantly boosting his visibility.

On the 14th, the day Prime Minister Kishida announced he would not run for re-election, Shinji Ishimaru updated his X account to report that he had celebrated his birthday. He uploaded a photo of a beer and posted:

“By the way, I turned 42. I want to live well so I can continue to drink energetically.”

It will be interesting to see how he harnesses his renewed energy and moves forward.