Tsuruho's 'Lucky' Remark Draws Fierce Backlash from Noto Disaster Areas

A remark by House of Councillors Budget Committee Chairman Yosuke Tsuruho of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), stating, "Luckily, there was an earthquake in Noto," has sparked strong condemnation. On February 11, the Wajima City Council in Ishikawa Prefecture, a region heavily affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, sent a stern letter of protest to Tsuruho, asserting that his comment "deeply hurt the hearts of disaster victims" and was "absolutely unforgivable."

Furthermore, the Suzu City Council also decided to submit a letter of protest to Tsuruho on or after the same day. Speaker Masanori Banjo pointed out that Tsuruho showed no signs of remorse even during his apology press conference on February 9, and indicated an intention to demand his resignation from important posts. During the press conference, Tsuruho mispronounced the name of Suzu City as "Tama..." among other gaffes, further exposing his lack of awareness regarding the disaster-stricken areas.

In addition to Wajima and Suzu cities, the councils of the four Okunoto municipalities, which also include Noto Town and Anamizu Town, have collectively moved to protest Tsuruho's statement. These councils plan to send letters of protest not only to Tsuruho but also to LDP Secretary-General Yu Moriyama.

Lawmaker's Qualifications Questioned and Public Outrage

Tsuruho's recent remark and his subsequent handling of the situation have drawn numerous harsh criticisms on social media. Comments include: "This is only natural. How can he be a human being, let alone a lawmaker?" and "There are victims who lost loved ones; there's no way they can stay silent." Demands for his resignation have also poured in, with calls such as, "The sooner he's made to quit, the less damage will be done," and "This is a gaffe warranting resignation from public office."

Sarcastic comments were also frequently observed, such as: "Since he can't read kanji, please write the protest letter all in hiragana!" and "Perhaps the protest letter should also inform him where Suzu City is located in Ishikawa Prefecture." These comments highlight Tsuruho's ignorance regarding the disaster areas and the strong public outrage directed at him.

The protests from local councils in the disaster-stricken areas are a strong expression of anger against a remark that lacked consideration for the immense severity of the disaster and the feelings of the victims. The political ramifications of this situation are now a subject of keen attention.

The context

Yosuke Tsuruho is a prominent Japanese politician and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the House of Councillors (Japan's upper house). At the time of this article, he served as the Chairman of the House of Councillors Budget Committee, a key position responsible for reviewing the government's budget proposals.

The controversy stems from his remarks concerning the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, which struck on January 1, 2024. This powerful earthquake caused extensive damage, particularly in Ishikawa Prefecture, with Wajima and Suzu cities being among the hardest hit. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and many lives were lost, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis and ongoing recovery efforts.

Tsuruho's specific comment, roughly translated as "Luckily, there was an earthquake in Noto," was made in the context of discussions about the government's budget formation. He suggested that the earthquake's timing was convenient for securing additional funds for disaster relief within the budget. This statement was widely perceived as highly insensitive, showing a profound disregard for the suffering of the victims and the gravity of the disaster, focusing instead on political or budgetary expediency. The mispronunciation of "Suzu" as "Tama..." further exacerbated public anger, demonstrating a perceived lack of basic knowledge and empathy for the affected region.