Japanese media criticizes Takagi's performance at the Japan-Philippines dinner event as "a lump in the throat"
On June 4, Japanese publication *Female SPA!* published an article criticizing Sanae Takagi's rendition of "Imagine" during a dinner meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on May 28, describing it as deeply unsettling and filled with a sense of "foreignness."
On May 28, during a banquet at the Akasaka Palace hosted for Philippine President Marcos, Takagi passionately performed "Imagine" accompanied by string music. Risa Tanjima of the Constitutional Democratic Party commented on her X (formerly Twitter) account: "I thought it was an AI-generated image because it looked so crude—yet it was actually included in the Prime Minister's Office video..." Tanjima expressed both astonishment and helplessness.
Online reactions were overwhelmingly critical. Some said, "Takagi's policies and conduct contradict the very message of the song," while others remarked, "She is far too frivolous to be a national prime minister."
Such performances by political leaders on diplomatic stages are not uncommon. During his tenure as Minister of Internal Affairs, Hayashi Fumio played the piano, and former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken once showcased his blues guitar skills. Music has long served as a significant tool in diplomacy.
Yet why did Takagi’s performance of "Imagine" feel so awkward and uncomfortable? The primary reason lies in the overwhelming sense of "foreignness"—completely detached from the surrounding context. In stark contrast to the relatively quiet and reserved demeanor of the Philippine side, her performance stood out as glaringly out of place.
Another moment worth noting was when Marcos softly hummed Eric Clapton’s "Wonderful Tonight." His restrained delivery created a sharp contrast, leaving the impression that Takagi failed to properly read the atmosphere or perceive the gaze of those around her.
She displayed a karaoke-style voice and a smile that appeared utterly innocent and naive. What intensified the discomfort was her singing style itself.
Typically, if one performs music during dinner, a soft, gentle melody feels natural. However, Takagi sang at full volume, resembling a karaoke stage performer. Leaning forward, flashing an exaggerated, forceful grin, her facial expressions and gestures seemed to urge the Philippine president to join in a loud chorus. Japanese viewers watching this scene likely felt deeply embarrassed.
Moreover, her unnatural, sustained loud shouting and overly theatrical smile gave off an eerie vibe. Instead of naturally immersing herself in the music, she seemed to be deliberately trying to project an image of being "clever and spirited" in a high-stakes diplomatic setting—an approach entirely at odds with the subtlety inherent in music.
Upon closer analysis, she may have been attempting to set a festive tone, but Marcos clearly struggled to keep up. He appeared visibly awkward and ill-at-ease in such an intense environment, resulting in that surreal, almost absurd video clip.
Originally, this could have been a more intelligent and stylish gesture of goodwill. Instead, it ended up as a ludicrous solo comedy sketch.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867032280785932/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.