Mar 9 • 05:09 UTC 🇯🇵 Japan Asahi Shimbun (JP)

Support speech by Hase after the Iran attack; Prime Minister Takaichi says, 'I don't think it was inappropriate'

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that she does not believe her campaign speech in Kanazawa during the Iran attacks was inappropriate, despite criticism about the timing.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi defended her decision to give a campaign speech in Kanazawa on February 28, the same day that the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran, asserting that she did not find it inappropriate. During a session of the House of Representatives' Budget Committee on March 9, she maintained that she believed appropriate crisis management measures were taken during that time. Her comments came in response to criticism from Junya Ogawa, the leader of the Center Reform Alliance, who questioned her choice to campaign amidst such global tensions, suggesting that there were mixed reactions among the public and lawmakers.

Takaichi emphasized that following the attacks, she established an organization within the Cabinet Office to collect information swiftly, illustrating her commitment to crisis management. She claimed that she received reports and issued instructions while traveling to the campaign event. Moreover, she noted that a cabinet meeting was convened that evening, highlighting that the duration was significantly shorter than in previous incidents, signifying an expedited response to the crisis.

In the Kanazawa mayoral election, Takaichi supported Hase Hiroshi, an independent candidate, who ultimately lost to Yoshiyuki Yamano, a newcomer and former mayor. The election results announced on March 8 indicated Yamano's victory, which adds further context to the discussion about Takaichi's political strategy and the implications of her speech during an international conflict, reflecting on the balance between domestic political obligations and global diplomatic situations.

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