Reporter's 'I'll Lower Her Approval Rating' Comment During Takaichi Interview Wait Sparks Outrage Online

When an interview for Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi was on standby, a comment from some members of the press, "I'll lower her approval rating," was spread via live stream, causing a major stir on social media.

The problematic remarks were reportedly picked up while reporters were waiting for the interview with President Takaichi to begin. The audio is said to have included not only the voice saying, "I'll lower her approval rating," but also specific comments such as, "It's about slush funds and Yasukuni, isn't it?" "Yasukuni is non-negotiable," and "She's probably listening to instructions from Aso through her earpiece."

As this news spread on social media, harsh criticisms against news organizations poured in, with comments like, "Old media is full of idiots," "Let's put an end to the old media," and "Only arrogant and stupid people can call themselves reporters." Many users pointed out media bias and a lack of ethics, stating, "It's laughable how clearly it's been exposed that fairness and impartiality never existed in the first place." Numerous opinions expressing distrust in the media were also seen, such as, "Much of Japan's mass media is less than trash," and "Many people have realized they cannot be trusted."

Furthermore, calls for severe action, such as "Perhaps their licenses should be revoked?" and "Thoroughly investigate which station this was!" were received, along with comments warning the entire media industry that "if there is no self-correction, it will truly be over." The spread of social media has also led to the view that "it's very significant that the public has become aware of biased reporting," indicating that as the way information is disseminated changes, the role and trustworthiness of traditional media are once again being called into question.

The Context

Sanae Takaichi is a prominent conservative politician within Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The remarks caught on live stream touch upon several sensitive political issues in Japan:

• Slush funds (裏金): This refers to recent political funding scandals within the LDP, where various factions were found to have failed to report significant amounts of fundraising income, leading to a loss of public trust.
• Yasukuni Shrine (靖国): This controversial war memorial honors Japan's war dead, including convicted Class A war criminals from World War II. Visits by Japanese politicians to Yasukuni Shrine are frequently criticized by China and South Korea, who view it as a symbol of Japan's past militarism. For some Japanese conservatives like Takaichi, visiting is a matter of paying respect, but it remains a highly divisive issue. The comment "Yasukuni is non-negotiable" suggests a firm stance on this issue.
• Taro Aso (麻生): Aso is another highly influential and veteran LDP politician, often seen as a mentor or senior figure. The remark about Takaichi listening to instructions from Aso implies a perceived lack of independent thought or being controlled by powerful factions within the party.

The incident highlights growing public distrust in traditional media in Japan, with social media acting as a powerful platform for scrutinizing journalistic ethics and perceived biases, especially when dealing with conservative politicians.