Madame Dewi’s “Pet New Party” Sparks Backlash: Luxury Fur and Calls for Prioritizing People

With Madame Dewi’s outstanding name recognition across a wide range of generations

At a press conference, when asked by reporters about whaling, Madame Dewi firmly responded:

“Dogs and cats are our companions. They are different from whales. Whales are not our companions.”

Of course, dogs and cats are mainstream pets in Japan as well. However, those who saw her remarks reacted with comments such as:

“She talks about ‘animal welfare,’ but it seems like she only cares about dogs and cats while being indifferent to other animals.”

“Hearing ‘animal welfare’ from someone dressed in luxurious fur just feels like a celebrity mindset.”

“I like animals too, but shouldn’t helping people’s lives come first?”

There were many negative opinions online.

A TV news reporter commented:

“There is criticism, but elections have always tended to favor familiar faces over policies. That’s why ruling parties also recruit celebrities. Madame Dewi has an outstanding level of recognition across generations, and many people sympathize with the plight of dogs and cats. If she obtains Japanese nationality, winning an election is certainly possible. However, she has a history of frequent controversial remarks. In the past, she claimed that ‘99% of infertility is due to abortion’ and was forced to apologize after praising Johnny Kitagawa even as his sexual misconduct was being exposed. As a politician, such remarks could be fatal, so she would need to be more cautious than ever.”

On variety shows, Madame Dewi fearlessly takes on physical challenges alongside younger talents. At 85 years old, she may feel she has a real shot at a new stage in life.