June 5, 2026

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

A foreign journalist, at a press conference held by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru on May 29, stated, “Recent press conferences with the prime minister have been limited in attendance, effectively restricting the number of questions to be asked. I don’t believe Prime Minister Takaichi has answered any questions from the foreign media since taking office,” and asked, “Isn’t that unusual?” Kihara blandly replied, “We hold press conferences at key junctures.”

Another reporter pressed further, “At a previous press conference, a media outlet that coordinated the press pool said that it was informed that only one question by the coordinator would be allowed. Prime Minister Takaichi is imposing significant restrictions on questions,” and asked, “Isn’t this infringing on the public’s right to know?”

Indeed, at the prime minister’s press conference on May 25 when the supplementary budget was announced, only one question was permitted. At the outset of the conference, a reporter stated, “Since we are told that we can ask only question, I will ask on behalf of the coordinating media outlet.”

However, the press conference with restricted questions turned into a “public relations spectacle” dominated mainly by Takaichi’s one-sided explanations.

At the press conference held on the day the FY2026 budget was enacted, only one press representative was permitted to ask a question. At the end of his question, the representative reporter pointed out the decrease in media interactions compared to previous governments and asked, “This affects the public’s right to know. How do you view this?”

Takaichi defended herself by stating, “Methods for conveying necessary information, such as through social media, are becoming more diverse.”

In fact, the Takaichi government places great importance on social media. The Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet Public Relations Office also operate X accounts and post updates daily. While avoiding questions, they are using these platforms as one-way communication channels.

Takaichi is employing the political strategy of disseminating her own views unilaterally while forcefully pushing forward policies that divide public opinion and deprive the general public of their right to know. Facing reporters’ questions head-on to provide thorough explanations is the most basic, yet critically important responsibility of a prime minister in a supposed democratic nation.