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In an ironic twist, Shintaro Ishihara, the writer, actor and politician most associated with the rise of the new Japanese nationalism, lost his seat in last week's election and has now announced his retirement from politics -
From the Japan Times:
“I have no regrets. I feel relieved,” Ishihara said during a news conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, adding that he hopes to now devote his time to supporting young contemporary artists.
Ishihara, 82, said before the snap election that his physical strength was deteriorating. But after pleas from fellow members of the extreme right-wing party, he decided to run to support them. Still, Ishihara appeared to have little appetite to continue in politics, putting his name at the bottom of the party’s proportional representation list for Tokyo.
“I believe I have fulfilled my duties to my fellow members,” he said.
Jisedai no To, which put priority on the creation of a new Constitution, won a mere two seats Sunday, down from 20 prior to the election.
“I believe the public has little interest in the Constitution,” Ishihara said. “Disappointingly, those who really feel the need to change the Constitution have become a rare breed.”
Regarding the icy diplomatic ties between Tokyo and Beijing, Ishihara accused China of stirring tensions over the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan.
“I would chase away (the Chinese vessels if I were prime minister),” he said.
Asked about a recent interview with a weekly magazine, Ishihara had even more scathing words on Tuesday.
“They asked me what I wanted to do most, so I told them that it’s to fight a war with China and win. I said that as a Japanese citizen,” he said.
From the South China Morning Post (paywall):
"It's the end of an era," Yoichi Shimada, a professor of international relations at Fukui Prefectural University, told the South China Morning Post.
"The Party for Future Generations was the natural and reliable political ally of the Liberal Democratic Party and it is a shame that they did not do better in these elections. I feel these two would have worked together on revising the constitution and on promoting a correct understanding of history."
Ishihara's legacy will be his dislike of communism, his confrontational approach and his refusal to be anything other than direct - a sharp contrast to many Japanese politicians.
"Almost every Japanese politician, including those in the LDP, are afraid of antagonising and upsetting China, but Ishihara was always completely calm when he criticised the Chinese Communist Party," said Shimada. "And that made him a rare animal here.
"I also feel that a younger generation of politicians has been quite impressed by seeing him debating and in how he stood up to China and I think that a few of them may try to mimic that style and won't be afraid of criticising the government in Beijing."
But Shimada said it would be a mistake to say that Ishihara dislikes Chinese people. On the contrary, he has close links with many key political figures in Taiwan. His issue was with the Communist Party, its ideology and, most recently, its claims on Japanese territory, Shimada said.
Ishihara won early fame for being awarded the prestigious Akutagawa Prize for his novel Season of the Sun before he graduated from Hitotsubashi University. He was active in the Japanese film and theatre scene, was a close friend of nationalist author Yukio Mishima and was a member of the National Diet for more than 25 years before initially stepping down in 1995.
His nationalistic views attracted attention overseas after he published The Japan That Can Say No at the peak of the nation's economic might in 1989.
Ishihara was back less than four years after leaving the Diet, and was elected governor of Tokyo on four occasions.
From Asahi AJW:
During his political career, Ishihara’s nationalistic remarks, often about Japan’s wartime history, have infuriated China and South Korea. He also warned that foreign residents would cause riots after a natural disaster in Japan.
When asked if he had any regrets, Ishihara said, “Not being able to change a single character in the Constitution.”
Ishihara had long argued for abolishing the pacifist postwar Constitution and writing a new one.
He also reflected on his achievements as Tokyo governor, saying he was satisfied with having imposed regulations on emissions by diesel vehicles and taxing companies on criteria other than only income.
As Tokyo governor, Ishihara lobbied to have the Japanese capital host the Summer Olympics. That goal was eventually reached by his successor, Naoki Inose.
“I am glad the flame was not extinguished,” Ishihara said.
He also praised Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who is currently co-head of the Japan Innovation Party. At one time, Ishihara and Hashimoto were co-leaders of the now-disbanded Japan Restoration Party.
“He is a genius,” Ishihara said. “I have never seen someone who is as good a speaker. He is like (former Prime Minister) Kakuei Tanaka when he was young. While the example might not be a good one, he is also like Hitler when he was young. Of course, Hitler did stupid things later in life.”
(あれあれ! Why does everyone keep talking about Hitler in Japan?! Jeez... Ed.)
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