Ethics Under Fire: Former PM Kan's Dementia and Election Support Stunt Ignites Social Media Fury

Despite former Prime Minister Naoto Kan being publicly revealed by his wife to have "Care Level 3" dementia, his appearance at an election support event has caused a significant stir on social media. Criticisms such as "inhumane" and "exploitation for election purposes" have emerged one after another, sparking active debate about ethical standards in politics.

Kan's wife, Nobuko Kan, had previously disclosed that her husband was in a Care Level 3 state, with even his memories related to the Fukushima nuclear accident becoming vague. Furthermore, it was reported that he had been hospitalized last year due to a fracture. Despite these circumstances, Kan reportedly participated in a recent election street speech to support candidates from the Center-Left Reform Alliance (including former Komeito representative Tetsuo Saito and Reiko Matsushita), leading to questions and outrage from many X (formerly Twitter) users.

On social media, numerous comments were posted, such as "It's pitiful to drag someone with Care Level 3 dementia out in the cold," "They are making a spectacle of him," and "They lack basic human compassion." Comments expressing distrust in politics were also seen, like "Is this a 'people-friendly' society?" and "Are they even dragging out the sick?" In particular, strong criticism has been directed at the use of a person in such a state for election activities, with many pointing out that Care Level 3 certification criteria describe a state where "it is difficult for the individual to stand up, walk, excrete, or bathe independently."

Some users also raised questions about the fairness of care level certification, asking "Is he really Care Level 3?" or "Does it vary by region or by the certifying municipal staff?" Conversely, others suggested that Kan might not be acting with full awareness of his situation, stating, "While not having examined him, if he's Care Level 3, he likely has little understanding of external affairs," and "He's probably just smiling when told to." Regardless, emotional reactions such as "I'm utterly disgusted" and "It's too creepy" have been prevalent in response to the act of bringing a person in such a condition onto the political stage.

This incident has once again prompted society to question care issues in an aging society and the ethics of political activity. The fundamental question of whether individual dignity should be protected, even for a former prime minister, resonates deeply with many people.

The context

Naoto Kan served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2010 to 2011, a period marked by the devastating 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. His wife, Nobuko Kan, has been a public figure in her own right. "Care Level 3" (要介護3, Yokai-go san) refers to a classification within Japan's comprehensive public long-term care insurance system. It signifies a person who requires significant support and supervision for daily activities, such as standing, walking, eating, bathing, and using the toilet, often due to conditions like dementia. The incident sparked outrage on X (formerly Twitter) because it involved a prominent former leader with a serious health condition being presented at a political event, raising questions about political ethics, the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, and the dignity of the elderly in Japan's rapidly aging society.