“Takaichi, Really?” Criticism Erupts Over Her Abe Speech—And Her Relationship With Akie Abe Raises Questions

Shin-chan’s ears

There have been questions raised about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (65) comparing herself to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

On July 11, Prime Minister Takaichi attended a gathering commemorating Abe, who was shot and killed in July 2022 while giving a campaign speech for that year’s House of Councillors election. Referring to Abe’s achievements, including the enactment of security legislation that enabled Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense on a limited basis, Takaichi said:

“If you take on challenges, they inevitably come with harsh criticism. As prime minister, I feel that heavy responsibility every day.”

Drawing a parallel between her own circumstances and Abe’s, she went on to say:

“A country that refuses to take on challenges, no matter how much criticism there may be, has no future. Like Prime Minister Abe, I want to be a politician who is willing to fight.”

Abe, who enjoyed enormous support, particularly among conservative voters, served as prime minister for a record 3,188 days, stepping down in August 2020. After he was subsequently killed by a gunman, conservative voters’ expectations turned toward Takaichi, who rose to become Japan’s first female prime minister in October last year.

“Many people have the image that Prime Minister Takaichi is Abe’s successor, but some people close to Abe would say, ‘That’s not right.’ In fact, Abe’s assessment of her was somewhat mixed, and some people even speak harshly about her, saying, ‘She’s using Abe.’” (National newspaper political reporter)

Toru Mitsushiro, president of Gentosha and a friend of Abe’s, revealed on editor Kosuke Minowa’s YouTube channel, released in June:

“Before Abe died, he said he would never support her again.”

In the 2021 LDP presidential election, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Taro Kono advanced to a runoff, which Kishida won. Takaichi put up a strong showing, finishing third in the first round. Mitsushiro said:

“Abe told Takaichi to thank the people who had supported him, those who had become his nominators, and those who were believed to have voted for him. He told her to do it even if it was just by phone. But she did nothing. She’s not someone who can do that kind of thing. Abe saw that and said he would never support her again.”

Mitsushiro also analyzed Takaichi’s personality:

“She’s someone who wants to do everything herself. Someone who can’t communicate with other people. Someone who takes everything upon herself. But she works hard because of that. And she’s someone who wants to make her own decisions.”

Abe’s beloved wife, Akie Abe (64), also reportedly rarely talks about Prime Minister Takaichi.

Political commentator Harumi Arima spoke about Akie Abe, who supported her husband as first lady:

“The media often referred to Akie as the opposition party within the household, but she would meet with people who opposed her husband’s policies and listen carefully to a wide range of opinions. Once you become prime minister, the information coming to you inevitably becomes biased. So she reportedly said, ‘I’ll be Shin-chan’s ears,’ and would bring him all kinds of perspectives. Because she was that kind of person, she had the ability to attract people from a wide range of backgrounds.”

“He’s always by my side”

Recently, Mrs. Akie Abe has been holding drinking gatherings with prominent figures from various fields, introduced through mutual acquaintances. According to a media insider who knows her:

“Apparently, she’s really into YouTube channels about urban legends and conspiracy theories, and she sometimes drinks with people from that circle. When the subject of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who passed away, comes up, she reportedly says, ‘I’m not sad at all.’ When asked what she means, she answers in a serious tone, ‘Because he’s always by my side.’”

The conversation sometimes moves on to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, but her reaction is said to be lukewarm.

“Akie just says, ‘Sanae Takaichi, huh,’ and doesn’t go into any detail. Apparently, she then changes the subject to UFOs or aliens, as if to say, ‘Let’s talk about something more interesting than that.’ Of course, she is probably grateful that the prime minister attended the memorial gathering.” (The same media insider)

On June 8, a ceremony was held to unveil a bronze statue of former Prime Minister Abe at Abe Shinzō-zō Jinja in Anan, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Approximately 150 people, including Mrs. Akie Abe, attended the ceremony. The statue stands at 175 centimeters, the same height as Abe himself, and depicts him raising his right hand high in the air. Prime Minister Takaichi reportedly sent a message that included:

“Thank you for erecting a statue of the respected former Prime Minister Abe on this auspicious day.”

The Takaichi administration faces a host of challenges, including revisions to the Imperial House Law, measures to address rising prices, and negative campaigning against rival factions. If former Prime Minister Abe were still alive, how would he have evaluated the current administration?—