Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (68), leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, appeared irritated during an interview with comedian Hikaru Ota from the duo “Bakusho Mondai.” The interview was posted on TBS NEWS DIG’s YouTube channel on July 14, right after a party leader debate aired on “news23.”
During the interview, Ishiba firmly pushed back when Ota tried to clarify a benefit plan by saying, “So it’s a 20,000 yen payment for everyone, right?” Ishiba quickly corrected him, saying in a sharp tone, “No! Children get 40,000 yen, low-income people get 40,000 yen. We never said everyone just gets 20,000 yen.”
Later, when Ota mentioned that the Japan-U.S. tariff negotiation deadline falls in the middle of the election campaign, Ishiba snapped, “We don’t know what will happen—it’s a negotiation!”
When asked if he would reject a possible demand from former President Trump for higher payments for U.S. military bases in Japan, Ishiba again showed frustration, saying, “I’ve always said that’s a separate issue.”
Earlier in the debate, anchor Ayaka Ogawa had asked him to “please keep your answers brief,” to which Ishiba replied seriously, “It’s not that simple,” creating a tense moment in the studio.
by MagazineKey4532