Tokyo International News Agency

An article by the Mainichi Shimbun, titled "LDP's 'Rare Common Sense': Former Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya Declares SDF Deployment Legally Impossible," has sparked significant debate on social media. The phrase "rare common sense," used in the article to describe Mr. Iwaya, has elicited a mix of agreement, disagreement, sarcasm, and skepticism, fueling discussions about media reporting ethics and the discernment of politicians. According to the Mainichi Shimbun article, former Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya acknowledged the Japan-U.S. alliance as a crucial pillar of Japan's national security but stated, "We cannot simply follow everything the U.S. does, or unconditionally align with all U.S. actions." He specifically noted that deploying Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) vessels to areas where combat is ongoing, especially when they are only authorized to exercise police powers, is "inappropriate" and would likely be perceived by ...

In Nagatacho, fresh from the recent House of Representatives election, a new development within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is causing a significant stir on social media. Reports that former Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is leading efforts to form an “anti-Takaichi group” have sparked a flood of criticism on X (formerly Twitter), with many condemning it as a “betrayal of voters.” According to reports, Iwaya had publicly stated his support for Ms. Takaichi during the election campaign. However, immediately after being elected, he allegedly declared his intention to “put the brakes on” her administration and expressed enthusiasm for launching a new group. In response, numerous users have voiced their anger, saying, “It’s unforgivable to pledge support during the election and then revolt once elected” and “Voters cast their ballots for the LDP, and this is a betrayal.” The potential participation of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Seiichiro Murakami in this group is also ...