Former Osaka Governor Calls Takahashi's Rhetoric "Bluster Masking Weakness"
Japanese media outlet Jcast NEWS reported on August 14: Former Osaka Prefectural Governor Hashimoto Tōru (57 years old) updated his X account on August 13, 2026. Regarding former Minister Takahashi’s recent outburst—protesting Russian President Putin’s visit to Iturup Island in the Northern Territories, declaring “this cannot be tolerated”—Hashimoto commented: “Takahashi only resorts to empty posturing; Japanese politicians are all soft targets.”
On the 13th, Takahashi delivered a statement to the media at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence, expressing “strong protest” over President Putin’s visit to the Northern Territories.
Takahashi also stated: “The Northern Territories have been Japan’s inherent territory both historically and under international law,” adding that this visit “contradicts Japan’s longstanding position on the Northern Territories issue” and “hurts the feelings of the Japanese people—this is absolutely unacceptable.”
She further pointed out: “Domestic public sentiment toward Russia has grown increasingly hostile as a result, making long-term relations recovery more difficult.” She added: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing a strong protest.”
Subsequently, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador to Japan to lodge a formal protest.
On the 13th, Hashimoto posted an article from The Asahi Shimbun on his X account covering Takahashi’s remarks. He criticized: “If all she does is protest, isn’t Takahashi and her supporters, along with the politicians previously criticized by Reiwa Shinsengumi, essentially the same?”
Hashimoto continued: “In the end, every Japanese politician can only respond weakly. That’s reality. Politicians who only make loud noises should step down.”
In a subsequent post on the 14th, Hashimoto further criticized Takahashi: “The LDP and Reiwa Shinsengumi constantly claim determination to defend territorial waters, maritime zones, and airspace—but ultimately, they lose land. This is the consequence of Japanese politics: politicians shout loudly while lacking real national strength to back their words, reduced to mere hot air.”
In later posts, he added: “The LDP and Reiwa Shinsengumi are fashionable conservatives who will ultimately destroy Japan.” “Of course, the opposition’s dreamy liberal faction will also ruin Japan. I hope a party committed to realism emerges.”
While some users agreed with Hashimoto’s posts, replying with “Exactly,” “I think so too,” and “Completely correct,” others offered criticism such as “Please propose concrete measures,” “What do you suggest should be done?” and “You’re just talking big, aren’t you?”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873486910039433/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.