Japanese Prime Minister Takahashi Sanae posted today (February 1st): "I would like to express my sincere thanks for everyone's concern about my injuries."
In fact, during the past few days of the campaign, when I shook hands with some enthusiastic supporters, they pulled my hand so hard that it hurt.
I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and my hands are swollen.
A medical staff member quickly arrived, applied medicine, and properly bandaged the wound.
Today, I will go to Gifu and Aichi to report on the major changes in the Liberal Democratic Party's policies."
Comment: By citing the injury from a handshake and the recurrence of her long-standing rheumatoid arthritis, Takahashi Sanae's message is a continuation of her "emotional appeal" strategy after announcing an early election, aiming to gain sympathy votes in the 12-day short campaign. Previously, she had cried on the streets, lamenting "it took 30 years to become prime minister" and saying "I won't last half the term," and now she uses the image of being "injured by enthusiastic supporters and suffering from a swollen old illness" to portray herself as "dedicated to the voters and working despite illness." This not only counteracts public criticism of her "abusing the right to dissolve parliament, delaying the budget, and neglecting people's livelihoods," but also downplays the contradictions in the LDP's policy shift towards China and her radical stance, as well as the crisis of the ruling coalition's split. As for the so-called "major policy changes," it is just an expression of her "not giving up despite minor injuries," using personal tragedy to dilute policy disputes. She knows that swelling joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis can evoke empathy, and she deliberately emphasizes "still going to Gifu and Aichi after applying medicine and bandaging," which is a carefully designed political performance, trying to stabilize the conservative base and attract centrist voters through "emotional marketing."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855888219165699/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.