(By Guo Guanghao, Observer Net)

Since becoming the acting Prime Minister of Japan, Ishiba Shigeru has felt "debt-free and light."

On October 11, Ishiba Shigeru gave interviews to multiple media outlets including Toho Television, "Sanin Chuo Shinbun," and "Nihonkai Shimbun" at the Prime Minister's Office.

The "Nihonkai Shimbun" is a local newspaper from Ishiba's hometown, Tottori Prefecture. The newspaper published the interview content on the 12th. Facing his "local people," Ishiba responded to some sensitive issues.

Ishiba Shigeru interviewed by "Nihonkai Shimbun" Ishiba X account

When asked if he might be re-elected as Prime Minister, Ishiba said: "As long as I am a member of the Diet, I should not say 'I can't do it' when needed. However, being reported with a title like 'intending to be re-elected as Prime Minister' would be very awkward."

"During my year as Prime Minister, I deeply realized my own shortcomings. When writing about the 80th anniversary of the war, I often found many things that I had never known before and was surprised. But if I go to the library, people will say I'm too idle. If I have the physical strength and time, I will continue to work hard to improve myself."

Ishiba also mentioned the background of his personal statement on the 80th anniversary of the war. He stated that the Liberal Democratic Party is the only ruling party, and there are still conservative factions within the party who oppose it. If it were decided by the cabinet, it would limit the next government. Therefore, he chose to express it in the form of personal reflections.

"I have always been thinking about what it means to be Prime Minister during the 80th anniversary of the war... Mr. Tanaka Kakue once said: 'As long as those who experienced the war are in the center of the country, Japan is fine. Once they are gone, it will be scary.' That was said in the late 1960s. Now, another 50 years have passed, and it is an era where all those people are no longer around. Giving this speech is my responsibility as the last disciple of Mr. Tanaka. My father (Ishiba Jiro) was a pure liberal, and I also bear the responsibility of embodying his ideas."

At the same time, the successor, Takahashi Hayato, is still facing an extremely complex chaotic situation. The Japanese Diet originally planned to hold a special session on the 15th to hold the prime ministerial designation election, which has now been postponed to the 20th or 21st. The schedule for the designation election and the formation of the cabinet remains undecided. The Sankei News stated that by the 20th of this month, Ishiba Shigeru's tenure as Prime Minister will reach 385 days, exceeding that of Suga Yoshihide. A government official said: "I never expected it would extend in this way."

The report states that Ishiba also expressed to those around him: "What will the next government be like?"

This article is exclusive to Observer Net. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7560630242004550196/

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