Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa was asked during a question by a House of Councilors representative on the 2nd whether she would object to being called “aunt” by Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taro Aso, and answered, “I am aware that there are various opinions and ideas in the world.” He only said, “I am doing so.” The opposition parties protested against Kamikawa’s answer, which did not directly answer her question, and the proceedings were temporarily suspended. On the same day, Mr. Aso released a comment saying, “I cannot deny that there were some inappropriateness in his expressions, and I would like to take his comments seriously and retract his remarks.”
◆“Fulfill your duties as a politician based on your beliefs”
In a representative question, Maiko Tajima of the Constitutional Democratic Party asked, regarding the response of Kamikawa, who did not see Aso’s remarks as a problem, she asked, “Isn’t there a risk that women in the same situation will feel they have to respond in the same way?” He asked questions like, “If there is a problem, what is it?” and “Why isn’t the minister protesting?”
Foreign Minister Kamikawa giving an answer at the plenary session of the House of Councilors = 2nd
Mr. Kamikawa did not answer these questions directly, but instead explained, “Since I was first elected, I have been working hard to fulfill my duties as a politician based on my beliefs.” She also said that she is currently focusing her efforts on establishing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) movement, which promotes women’s participation in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
He then emphasized, “I will continue to work hard with a sense of mission and without looking aside, like Sadako Ogata (the first Japanese person to serve as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).” Congressman Tajima, let’s work together with WPS,” he concluded.
◆“Of course we should be cautious” Prime Minister Kishida’s “general opinion”
Speaking generally, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, “It is natural that people, regardless of their gender or position, should refrain from making comments that make fun of their age or appearance or make others uncomfortable.”
Foreign Minister Kamikawa returns to his cabinet seat after giving his answer at the House of Councilors plenary session on the 2nd.
In response to Mr. Kamikawa’s answer, a director of the House of Representatives Steering Committee of the Democratic People’s Democratic Party protested, saying, “He did not answer the question.” As a result of discussions between the ruling and opposition parties in the chamber, the Liberal Democratic Party director asked Kamikawa to re-answer multiple times, but Kamikawa did not respond and the proceedings were suspended for about 10 minutes.
In an interview with this newspaper, Tajima said, “I was disappointed that there was not a sufficient response from Ms. Kamikawa.It shows the limits of the Liberal Democratic Party in that a woman cannot protest, even if she is the foreign minister.” Tomoko Tamura, chairwoman of the Communist Party of Japan, also spoke at a press conference regarding Kamikawa’s response, saying, “If you are from the standpoint of promoting gender equality, shouldn’t you criticize him properly?” (Nobuko Ohno)