Gaoyu Zao Miao is losing cohesion!?

“The Secretary Staff No Longer Want to Support the Prime Minister”

At a time when Japan faces what many call a national crisis, a seemingly irreparable rift has emerged between Prime Minister Gaoyu Zao Miao and her inner circle. Reports suggest that she is gradually losing her grip on support—what exactly has happened?

 

Right now, Japan’s political hub, Nagatacho, is abuzz with news: a fierce clash has erupted between Prime Minister Gaoyu Zao Miao and senior cabinet aide Imai Takuya.

Imai is widely known as the “number one confidant” of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and is a heavyweight bureaucrat from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. During the Abe administration, he served as chief cabinet secretary, advisor to the Prime Minister, participated in domestic policy-making, and deeply influenced key foreign policy decisions—earning him the nickname “Shadow Prime Minister” from the outside world.

The incident began with a report published in the April issue of the magazine *Choice*, titled “The Night Gaoyu Said ‘Resignation’.”

The article claims that before last month’s Japan-U.S. summit, Gaoyu had planned to dispatch Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to the Strait of Hormuz under the pretext of presenting a gift to President Trump. Upon learning of this, Imai stormed into the Prime Minister’s office and strongly opposed the move. After intense debate, the plan was ultimately scrapped.

Not only was Gaoyu dissatisfied with this outcome, but she reportedly expressed deep distress, even voicing thoughts of resignation. The article also notes that Gaoyu, already suffering from pre-existing health issues, is experiencing significant mental and physical strain, having reached her personal limits.

“I’ll be fired sooner or later”

Less than half a year after Gaoyu took office, a fatal rift has already formed between her and Imai.

Although the report is explosive, Prime Minister Gaoyu firmly denied it during a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee on the 7th, calling it “entirely false reporting.”

A source close to the Prime Minister’s Office revealed:

“After the report went public, Imai told people around him, ‘I’ll probably be dismissed by the Prime Minister sooner or later.’”

“Though Imai publicly claimed the report was completely untrue, and it didn’t appear he actually shouted loudly in the Prime Minister’s office, there is no doubt that a serious ideological rift has developed between him and Gaoyu—one that cannot be repaired.

Previously, Imai repeatedly offered advice to Gaoyu, but each time was met with cold indifference. For example, after the U.S. attack on Iran, he urged immediate dispatch of a special envoy to Tehran with a personal letter—but his suggestion was ignored, leaving him utterly frustrated.”

“Disrespecting Abe’s Portrait”

A political journalist analyzed: “From the Abe era onward, Imai was someone who dared to clearly express his views and deeply involved himself in policy-making. But Gaoyu dislikes those who speak forcefully—so from the very beginning, many worried about the relationship between the two.”

For instance, Imai once requested that Gaoyu make clear revisions to her response regarding the so-called ‘existential crisis situation’ over Taiwan last autumn; regarding the controversial nuclear weapons remarks made by former advisor Ojima Sadaharu at year-end, Imai believed they violated the party’s long-standing stance on the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and recommended Gaoyu dismiss him.

But all these suggestions were completely ignored by Gaoyu Zao Miao.

Another official close to the Prime Minister’s Office said: “During Gaoyu’s visit to Ise Shrine earlier this year, she showed reporters a portrait of Abe in front of the press. This sparked controversy. The photo was actually a gift from Imai. Despite its significance, Gaoyu casually tucked it into a cheap, flimsy folder. Imai saw this and complained, ‘How tasteless.’”

A Liberal Democratic Party insider noted: “Gaoyu once became furious and threatened to fire Imai, but was eventually dissuaded by Cabinet Secretary Kimura Mitin and others.”

If Imai were dismissed, the public would likely interpret this as Gaoyu completely breaking with the Abe-era policy direction. Moreover, Gaoyu typically communicates only through handwritten notes passed to Cabinet Secretary Kimura Mitin and Chief Cabinet Secretary Iida Yujiro, who then relay instructions to staff—maintaining almost zero direct contact with other secretaries or palace bureaucrats.

She even refuses to ride in the same car as ordinary secretaries, making normal discussions impossible during travel. Even Iida had to beg, ‘Please let me help carry your bag,’ just to be allowed to accompany her.

Now, the talented secretaries dispatched from various ministries and agencies across Japan have lost all motivation to continue supporting this Prime Minister.”

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861889147991050/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.