Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Seen ‘Snoozing’ in Parliament During Vote Session

In a plenary session on 11 November 2024, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, recently re-elected amid dwindling support for his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), faced renewed scrutiny when footage emerged showing him briefly closing his eyes and lowering his head during a parliamentary vote count.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, left; with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, right

While seated next to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, who looked on with concern, Ishiba appeared momentarily unaware, spurring debate on his focus and energy levels at a crucial time for the nation’s leadership.

The Viral Clip and Public Reaction

A brief video clip quickly circulated on social media, where comments ranged from amusement to sharp criticism.

Some users questioned Ishiba’s stamina, while others viewed the incident as symbolic of a ‘marked lack of tension’ on his part, as suggested by a senior opposition lawmaker from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan according to Kyodo.

Concerned comments surfaced, questioning if Japan’s long work hours were overworking the PM.

Government Clarifies Ishiba’s Health Condition

Addressing media inquiries, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi clarified Ishiba’s state, explaining that the prime minister had been ‘extremely busy’ and had been working late nights in recent weeks.

He also revealed that Ishiba was recovering from a cold and had taken medication that might have contributed to his momentary lapse.

‘There are no problems with his health,’ Hayashi added, downplaying concerns that the incident indicated deeper issues with Ishiba’s capacity to lead amid pressing challenges.

Japanese reports also mention Ishiba stating getting ‘less than 4 hours’ of sleep daily, with concerns flooding social media comments following the statement.

Opponents Weigh In

The episode elicited mixed reactions from political figures across Japan’s political landscape. Nobuyuki Baba, leader of the Japan Innovation Party, voiced his view that the prime minister’s actions were “inappropriate” given the session’s importance.

‘We were holding an election to decide the head of one of the three branches of government, so I think it would be inappropriate for one to take a rest,’ Baba commented, underscoring the serious nature of the parliamentary proceedings in which Ishiba appeared distracted.

A New Term with New Hurdles

Ishiba, 67, faces an array of challenges in his renewed term, from internal party hostilities and economic challenges to maintaining stable foreign relations amid increasing regional tensions. Ishiba, who replaced former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after Kishida’s resignation amid scandal, now faces the task of restoring confidence in the LDP.

However, the video clip from Monday has already cast a shadow over his early days in office, sparking both national and international media interest and renewing conversations around the personal demands placed on Japan’s leaders.

Looking Ahead

With his administration off to a turbulent start, Ishiba’s brief lapse has highlighted the intense scrutiny surrounding Japan’s political leadership.

For now, the focus on the prime minister’s health and demeanour serves as a reminder of the physical and mental challenges that come with steering one of Asia’s leading democracies through turbulent times.

Watch the video here:

Shigeru Ishiba, president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was seen dozing off in parliament on Monday where he was reelected as the prime minister.
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