Photo: YouTube/あべ晋三チャンネル
politics

Former Prime Minister Abe becomes YouTuber

32 Comments
By SoraNews24

A general election is fast approaching in Japan, and the nation’s thoughts turn to who will be the next prime minister.

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe posted his first video on his official YouTube channel on Oct 19, but not to throw his hat into the upcoming race for PM though. He simply sent his warm greetings to everyone and stated his mission to share his views on the streaming platform.

Yes, the same former PM who once proudly declared that he paid his Facebook and Twitter fees and accidentally @ed a founding member of the Twitter dev team while trying to wish the Indian Prime Minister a happy birthday has become a YouTuber. Of course, getting people to hit that like button and smash subscribe is only one part of his grand plan, Abe is now serving as a Diet member and with the election looming his seat too is up for grabs.

▼ Abe’s second video is a message for the people in his constituency of Shimonoseki and Nagato

Rather than conventional campaign videos, however, he does seem to be adopting the YouTuber format with a fixed two-camera shoot and breezy dialog. All that’s missing is some stock background music and the occasional bloopy sound effects.

It’s a surprising move from the 67-year-old politician but considering the level of fame he’s coming in with, he could really go places in the medium. Of course, the kind of fame Abe’s packing from the notoriously decisive world of politics is quite a double-edged sword and while his own YouTube videos have their comments turned off, people wasted no time voicing their opinions elsewhere online.

“I refuse to subscribe to that channel.”

“He’s going to break out as the biggest YouTuber ever!”

“I hope he eats foods from various regions and then says ‘juicy!'”

“Finally on a medium where he can’t be censored! I look forward to your success!”

“I’m looking forward to him trying Mentos and Coke.”

“Is he going to sing?”

Political views aside, we can see the main hurdle Abe will have to overcome. Being natural in front of a camera is great, but to really make it as a YouTuber you need to keep coming out with original content.

Luckily, the bar for Abe is pretty low. Remember when he slipped into a Mario costume and the whole world went ape? If he starts off slow by installing a door-knocker again or sharing his love of Black Thunder chocolates, then he’ll be on the right track to raking in so many followers he won’t even need that lousy member of parliament gig any more.

Source: YouTube/あべ晋三チャンネル, My Game News Flash

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Japan’s Prime Minister says he didn’t want to cosplay as Mario at the 2016 Olympics

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© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

32 Comments
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Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe posted his first video on his official YouTube channel on Oct 19, but not to throw his hat into the upcoming race for PM though. He simply sent his warm greetings to everyone and stated his mission to share his views on the streaming platform.

How much do you want to bet comments will be closed?

His videos should be bombarded with reply videos showing how people's lives have been "improved " by his Abenomics neoliberal policies and as a sign-off hashtag# Thanks former PM Abe!

10 ( +12 / -2 )

He’s probably the only one of the LPD dinosaurs who knows how to use a computer lol

10 ( +12 / -2 )

And next week, we'll highlight Akie's wine tasting jaunt across the world! Don't forget to hit Subscribe!

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Do we really to see more of Abe sitting with his dog having tea while Japanese people are sick & dying, jobless, and small businesses are failing and disappearing due to his inaction?

10 ( +13 / -3 )

I mean LDP

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Abe's tummy ache magically disappeared just like the coronavirus and the Olympics.

Right before the elections. Coincidence??? I think not!

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Abe seems like the Japanese Richard Nixon.

"Sock it to me..."

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Shouldn’t that be Former/Former scandal hit PM?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Just go away.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Sounds like a potato !

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I think that we now know why is Japan eager to punish online insults with jail time

5 ( +8 / -3 )

It would be so awesome if it turned out that Abe had decided to start one of those toy unwrapping channels and he does these little skits where he is playing with Peppa Pig toys and trying to do the voices and everything.

I would so watch that.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

already unsubscribed!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

His timing on everything is brilliant ... He will outlive everyone

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Wish he would disappear completely.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Will he do the spoon of cinnamon thing?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Clowns do clown things… I still get a good laugh thinking about him jumping out of the pipe in super mario costume

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Spectacular............

Is he going to have a Patreon, TIK TOK or an Only Fans as well?

I'm sure the entire Nation has been waiting for Social Media Abe!!!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It’s his only real option to speak to the people, last time he tried to directly speak to the public was Akiharbora and that ended with the crowd heckling him to the point he was almost in tears. No PM since has tried to directly speak to the people. So a slick produced YouTube video made in his mum’s basement is a good alternative for Honest Abe.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

If he would only put on a Pikachu hat then I would subscribe!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

So, now he's healthy to do this? What a joke!

1 ( +12 / -11 )

For a second I thought it was Asada Mao, they look so alike.

In any case, who cares? Does he get stomach aches and walk off the set halfway through his gig?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I hope he has his dog on his lap and sips a cup of tea, with his Mario suit on. I will sign up to follow.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

My lasting memory of Abe. When the pandemic hit he barred resident foreigners who happened to be abroad from coming back to Japan. I suspect their was considerable chaos and heartbreak that went unreported.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Iron Lad

Asking a country with a stagnant economy to reproduce is just asking for trouble.

Population growth should come naturally from better wages and living standards, not through government pressure or coercion.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

I don't like Shinzo Abe for what he promised to do but not since the US has final says on whatever he did. He was too pragmatic and neutral for their taste.

Anyway, I at least kudo him for being not an oyaji who is fearful of modern technologies.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Good news, I hope to see condemnation of SK by Abe directly. That is the only thing I like about Abe. Economic policies are not good and also bad immigration policies that lowers Japanese people's salary.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I knew this guy would show up again. At least Ishihara had the decency to stay away permanently. Can't this guy even write his surname in kanji? Looks as if a kindergarten child wrote it. And what exactly does he want to protect the country from????!!!!

And no, I will not click on that video.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Haven't been following Japan politics lately.

Do right-wingers still think Abe is a secret Korean agent trying to destroy Japan? I've read some whacky conspiracy theories from netuyoku clowns about Abe having Korean ancestry.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

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