Former Top Bureaucrat's "Get Acute Pneumonia" Remark Ignites Fury on Japanese Social Media
Former Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Kihei Maekawa, has sparked a major uproar on social media after reportedly telling Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is currently recuperating due to ill health, to "get acute pneumonia." This remark has drawn fierce criticism from many users, who called it "undignified" and "lacking in ethics," leading to widespread discussion under the trending topic "acute pneumonia." The controversial remark was directed at Prime Minister Takaichi, whose planned visit to the U.S. was in doubt due to her ill health. Maekawa reportedly posted comments such as, "At this point, you should 'get acute pneumonia' and cancel your trip to the U.S." The statement caused particular outrage given that Prime Minister Takaichi was recovering from a cold and, suffering from rheumatism, is at a higher risk of infection. On SNS X, a torrent of condemnations erupted, with users posti...