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© 2021 AFPSuga insists emperor not worried about Olympics
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© 2021 AFP
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Septim Dynasty
This is really pathetic. Suga politicizes the Emperor for his schemes.
Kobe White Bar Owner
Course he is.
“Ugandan team member arriving in Tokyo had Delta virus variant”
headline from another JT article.
OssanAmerica
Just ask the Emperor directly. Of course he's concerned as would anyone with more than half a brain.
Ego Sum Lux Mundi
That's how it's been done in Japan for millennia, duh
Kurukuru
well, he should be concerned.
Pukey2
Suga, you don't need to speak for the emperor. He can speak for himself. And he just did.
noriahojanen
The content in the "concerned" comment is hardly controversial. One the one hand, it never dictates the Japanese government, the host Tokyo or the IOC about what to do/what not to do. It never blames nor hold accountable anyone in charge.
On the other hand, its core message is identified with the large majority of public views having been addressed in various polls, expert opinions and random interviews on the streets. If they are now and only reacting to this "another" one, it's (again) too late.
Furthermore, the briefing process was very conventional, rigorously scheduled and hardly surprising. Even boring. "Indirect messaging" style has been practised in many occasions, nothing at all unusual. Some media outlets seem to get excited while others upset. Chill out!
Bobo
Didn’t the emperor just say yesterday he was? So Suga is calling him a liar?
Tom
Lol. Why wouldn't he be worried??
Suga you're just so bad at everything.
nandakandamanda
Japan's version of 'checks and balances' at work for all to see. Everyone's face is saved. Like the springs and dampers/shocks on a vehicle, they make for a more comfortable ride.
noriahojanen
The indirect message from the Imperial House is a common style, and plays a role as a foreword and observation. Detaching it from Emperor is also a typical defense tactic for the government. But caution! While I respect and support "Emperor reigns, not rules" principle, it's too early and risky to blush aside or downplay it.
Remember how the former Emperor (now Emperior Emeritus) proceeded his early retirement. It started with an indirect message by his grand steward. To further clarify, the emperor himself came out and made a statement (video-recorded). All deniers claiming "it's not his majesty's intent!" got wrong and ashamed.
Above all it's not the primary issue about who is saying. What is said in the statement and how well it makes sense are more significant.
snowymountainhell
Excellent Point! @Bobo 4:41pm - Will defer to the ‘resident scholars’ for more clarity on the issue but, …
… it appears Suga’s insistence to the contrary “openly and embarrassingly questions” the Emperor’s concerns for “the People”.
Goodlucktoyou
So the person is an idiot or not? I’m confused
Chico3
So says Suga. Since when does he speak for Japanese royalty?
nandakandamanda
By taking this interpretation openly, though, Suga has just laid his political neck on the line.
It will have been noted, and may well be used as ammunition against him, if or when things go pear-shaped.
itsonlyrocknroll
Since when has any prime minster assumed the position as an official spokesperson for the Imperial House of Japan?
Sven Asai
This alone is inexcusable. No noblesse, not even elected in regular nationwide elections, who does that guy think he is or ever has been?
kurisupisu
How disgusting is Suga’s comment!
dagon
But the remarks were dismissed Friday by Suga, who told reporters Nishimura had "expressed his own opinion".
The line was echoed by Olympic minister Tamayo Marukawa and top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato.
All this sensitive reading of feelings and intentions about who is is power or may have the ear of those in power. Very Japanese and medieval and eminently counterproductive in this situation.
Just listen to the Japanese only if you want, medical experts who almost unanimously say: This Olympics is a bad idea in this pandemic situation.
Frapoke
Of course he is concerned, everyone with a grain of brain left would be! Good on him to be concerned, at least one person is doing his job here!
BlackFlagCitizen
What is Suga talking about? It was only yesterday that there was an article stating the emperor was concerned:
https://japantoday.com/category/national/urgent-emperor-concerned-olympics-may-increase-infections-official-believes
Paul
Suga, you just called your God a lair!!! You are going to hell for that!!!
BertieWooster
From yesterday's news:
So Nishimura is lying?
blahblah222
Japan would be better served with an absolute monarchy and dissolving the parliament. It is a much better than the current oligarchy anyways, votes are just a farce anyways, when has a political family ever lost? People either just vote for political family or not vote, just a waste of time and money. Election results are never in question.
livvy
The strawberry farmer has stumbled over the emperors outstretched leg and made a most ungraceful recovery!
(un croche-pied, in French)
Richard Gallagher
Suga, dismisses the Emperor's concern - just as he has dismissed the factual contentions of the medical and scientific communities. Suga's loyalty is neither to Japan or the peoples of Japan - he serves other masters and his own selfish interests. Instead of appreciating the remarks from the Royal household and giving thanks, he is disparaging towards the Emperor, who unlike Suga is aware of the dangers.
shogun36
Suga has a lot of confidence issues, doesn't he?
It's almost as if he thinks people don't trust or believe anything he says.
I wonder why he would think that?
Hideomi Kuze
Suga is one of representatives of Japanese politician who tamper with inconvenient fact.
Ruling party LDP including Suga only want to take advantage of emperor but disrespect voices from emperor.
Crashpilot
The power of the Prime Minister has no bounds he does not only control what the Emperor says, no he even controls what he thinks.
Hideomi Kuze
"emperor not worried about Olympics" is just interpretation of Suga.
There is clear gap between Japan's royal family and government since previous Abe regime.
LDP government nominated Nishimura as the head of the Imperial Household Agency to silence "inconvenient" voices from emperor.
therefore, Nishimura doesn't need to forge voices of emperor.
KansaiTen
Since when has any prime minister assumed the position as an official spokesperson for the Imperial House of Japan?
In practical terms, since Tojo. Albeit Tojo was made Prime Minister at the behest of His Imperial Majesty Hirohito.
Jind
With Suga, it's Olympics above the Emperor. Nothing else matters to arrogant Suga.
ZENJI
Any & All confidence in this Prime Minister is now gone.
mmwkdw
Tricky situation - the Emperor has no sway in Politics these days for good reason.
Even though, his personal opinion may be aligned with that of the Population before he even came to his own personal statement.
One has to wonder, over of the blind stubborn headedness of the Political Elite, whether they have stopped listening to those whom they serve - or do they serve just, a minority above the voting base ? And the rest is just a Charade ? And .. even then, is the Emperors comments simply a side-event aimed at guiding Japan back to it's form Emperor/God/Divine governed days ? One has to wonder...
Alan Harrison
Suga insists emperor not worried about Olympics
So in Japan, the PM. speaks for the Head of State.
hatsufred
Politicians 2nd hand car salesmen and estate agent’s are trained as liars. Suga will be replaced by another liar