Kaneko Megumi Explains Why Koizumi Shinjiro is Called ‘Dumb’ Locally Despite National Praise
On August 28, former Liberal Democratic Party House of Representatives member Kaneko Megumi (46) caused a stir with her comments on the LDP presidential election while appearing on “Mezamashi 8” (Fuji TV). Her statement that “Shinjiro Koizumi as president is promising because he is surrounded by competent people” led to widespread criticism online.
“That’s just a puppet.”
“The leader needs to be reliable.”
“Competent people around him? Where?”
Amidst doubts about Shinjiro Koizumi’s abilities, who is set to announce his candidacy for the LDP presidential election on September 6, why did Kaneko Megumi support him?
A key network producer speculates that “it’s probably not her true opinion.”
“This is because Kaneko has criticized Koizumi on a Kansai local program. On March 17, 2024, during her appearance on ‘Soko Made Itte Iinkai NP’ (Yomiuri TV), when asked by former NHK political reporter Akiko Iwata about ‘the next post-Kishida,’ Kaneko bluntly stated that ‘Shinjiro Koizumi is not very bright.’ Even her husband, former legislator Kensuke Miyazaki (43), was taken aback by her remarks.”
On July 28, when Kaneko Megumi appeared on the same program again, she expressed regret, saying, “I have reflected on saying that he is not very bright. It was a very bad thing to say.” she reiterated that it was “not a slip of the tongue.” This comment received considerable support online.
“Everyone knows that.”
“A fastball insult, lol.”
“I also think so, because I think so.”
Kaneko Megumi was the Miss Japan Kanto representative in 2004. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and was appointed as a State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications in 2016. Her main policy themes include welfare, IT, regional revitalization, child-rearing support, and women’s empowerment. She is now active as a political commentator and television commentator.
What is the intention behind Kaneko’s use of different comments on national and local networks? According to a sports newspaper reporter:
“At first glance, it seems like she’s saying different things on national broadcasts and Kansai local programs, but they both converge on the point that ‘Shinjiro is not capable.’ The change in how she phrases it indicates that she is selectively targeting her audience.”
Veteran political journalist explains:
“Kaneko published a book titled Yurusu Chikara (Shueisha) in 2020. It discusses how she managed to forgive her husband, Kensuke Miyazaki, and how she recovered from the depths of losing everything she had built. The writing is straightforward and brief, with many photographs of herself. She understands what readers are looking for. Her softened comments on national broadcasts might be intended to create a positive impression of Koizumi and potentially facilitate his return to the political arena.”
Will Kaneko’s appeal of supporting even ‘unsuccessful men’ reach Shinjiro Koizumi?
PHOTO.: Takashi Hotta (Kaneko), Takeshi Kinugawa