Key Facts
• Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been visiting his hometown weekly since October 2025.
• On November 22, he held a national policy briefing in Tottori City, reflecting on his tenure.
• Ishiba criticized the official mascot of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, Myakumyaku, calling it “strange.”
• The Expo attracted over 25.57 million visitors, with attendance surging in its final phase.
• Ishiba emphasized the importance of the Expo in revitalizing Japan’s image globally.
• He highlighted his advocacy for establishing a Disaster Management Agency, calling it his “lifework.”
• Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi plans to accelerate preparations for the agency’s launch in 2026.
• Ishiba expressed concerns over the shift in rice production policies, defending his stance on food security.
• He criticized the dissolution of the coalition with the Komeito Party, praising their past support.
• Public reactions to Ishiba’s comments were mixed, with some supporting his candidness and others questioning his criticisms.
• Ishiba attended local events, including an agricultural festival in Kurayoshi City, where he was encouraged to return as prime minister.
Summary
Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been actively engaging with his hometown since stepping down in October 2025. During a policy briefing in Tottori City, he reflected on his tenure and shared mixed feelings about the Takaiichi administration’s policy shifts. Ishiba criticized the Osaka-Kansai Expo mascot, Myakumyaku, but acknowledged the event’s success in attracting over 25.57 million visitors. He reiterated his commitment to establishing a Disaster Management Agency, a project now being advanced by Prime Minister Takaiichi. Ishiba also defended his rice production policies, emphasizing food security, and expressed regret over the dissolution of the coalition with the Komeito Party. Public responses to his remarks varied, with some praising his honesty and others questioning his approach. Ishiba’s participation in local events, including an agricultural festival, highlighted his continued connection with constituents, with some urging him to return to leadership.
