Gaffe on Female Minister’s Appearance

Vice-president of Liberal Democratic Party, Taro Aso, issued a comment that he would take back his speech on appearance of Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, in Fukuoka prefecture on January 28. In the speech, Aso praised Kamikawa’s handlings of diplomacy with saying “She is not that beautiful, though.” The lawmakers of opposition parties criticized that gaffe, supposedly causing explanation of Aso. Aso is well known as a man who eats his own outspoken words.

According to news reports, Aso called Kamikawa “a rising star” who speaks English properly and magnificently, and makes appointment with anyone whom she needs to meet without help of her diplomatic staffs. “From the viewpoint of our dudes, this aunt is doing better,” he said. He was basically congratulating Kamikawa’s diplomacy in New York last September, soon after she took the office.

 

Even how he admires Kamikawa’s capability as foreign minister, Aso unfortunately made slips of the tongue. In the speech in Fukuoka, Aso called Kamikawa “Kamimura” several times. He also told that Kamikawa was the first Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan ever. Before Kamikawa, Makiko Tanaka (2001-02) and Yoriko Kawaguchi (2002-04) were appointed to the foreign minister of Japan.

 

The opposition parties did not miss this chance of accusing an LDP leader. A member of House of Councillors, Maiko Tajima with Constitutional Democratic Party, accused of Aso’s speech as a slur on age and appearance in the discussion of the Diet. “Regardless gender or position, it should be refrained from mocking someone’s age or appearance and annoying them,” said Kishida.

 

The criticisms are also directed to Kamikawa. Immediately after Aso commented on her appearance, Kamikawa showed appreciation to it. “Recognizing that there are a lot of opinions or voices, I receive every voice with thanks,” said Kamikawa in her press conference. This response by Kamikawa invited criticisms on her weakness in opposing inappropriate speeches on gender issue made by male politician. Tajima asked Kamikawa in the Diet session why didn’t she protest against Aso’s comment. Kamikawa plainly answered that she had been devoting to taking responsibility as a politician.

 

Aso has made countless gaffes for decades. On the gap of rice price between Japan and United States, Aso argued that it would be understandable for a person with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007. “People realized one day that Weimar constitution was replaced by Nazi constitution without any notice. Shouldn’t we learn from that modus operandi?” he said in 2013. Aso later retracted both comments.

 

Not only a former Prime Minister of Japan, Aso sits on the second-top position of ruling LDP and is the head of Aso faction which solely remains to be what it had been even after the slush funds scandal. Kishida still relies on Aso’s support in LDP.

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