Finding time for a cigarette during breaks at work has never been harder for Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, known to be a heavy smoker, according to people close to him.
Ishiba's extremely tight schedule since becoming Japan's prime minister in October has forced him to now only smoke "several cigarettes a day." He has gone so far as to suggest he may quit smoking altogether.
Last month, Ishiba told a parliamentary session that he will need "a little more" time to end his longtime smoking habit. He added he does not smoke in places where there are people around.
His love for tobacco is so strong that Ishiba, who also has a penchant for drinking, once told people around him that if he were asked to give up either smoking or drinking, he would say "definitely drinking."
Before assuming his post as Japan's top leader, he would often frequent a smoking lounge in the Diet building. He is even rumored to have his own chair there.
At home, though, smoking seems to be a tall order for the prime minister. His wife Yoshiko is a nonsmoker and the prime minister has said that he is "not in a situation" where smoking is "allowed."
Smokers have been under intense scrutiny in recent years, with developments such as the revised health promotion law taking effect in 2020. The law bans people from smoking indoors in government buildings and other places in Japan.
With smoking prohibited at the prime minister's office, Ishiba now tries to eat some candy during meetings, according to sources close to him.
But "habits cannot be easily changed," one of the sources said, suggesting it will take time for the prime minister to quit smoking.
© KYODO
11 Comments
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factchecker
Diddums. You wanted the job, accept the responsibility or quit.
Jay
Despite his struggle to masticate onigiri rice balls, I held out hopes for this guy after he spent Christmas at church, but here we are back at square one.
Smoking is the EPITOME of weakness - a mental addiction that prioritizes selfish indulgence over health, discipline, and the example of strength a proper leader should set. A real Christian would honor their body as a temple of God, not pollute it due to mental shortcomings.
Besides that, Shigeru, how about using your time at work to serve the people, NOT feed a disgusting habit?! Honestly, how can this bloke lead this nation when he can't even lead himself? Weak, selfish, and utterly unfit for the mantle of responsibility.
wallace
It's a good time to quit.
sakurasuki
Finding a smoking time now become Japanese national security matters?
deanzaZZR
With all of these "barriers" to your smoking enjoyment perhaps it is a good idea to give it up for good, PM Ishiba. I'm pretty sure there are zero smoking friendly options at a G7 conference for example.
asdfghjkl
The subject of this article underscores valid or not how little people think of him.
blackpassenger
だから？y is this news? He’ll just get a heart attack and dies. So?
Aly Rustom
Poor baby!
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.
BertieWooster
Well, on his salary and perks he can afford it.
shogun36
Why? Is his nap time taking up most of his day?
Has he even done any actual work since taking office?
dan
This is news ???? LOL