Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi roasted for dancing at the White House
Social media users from Japan have been expressing ’embarrassment’ over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s White House visit. Pandering to President Donald Trump’s inappropriate stunts and dancing at the White House while the United States goes to war with Iran was criticized online.
The White House and Clash Report posted a photo of Takaichi dancing at the White House with her arms raised. It seems like she was dancing to “YMCA,” which Trump practically turned into his signature campaign dance. All else considered, it looks like a wacky photo of the prime minister. But not long before that, Trump made a controversial comment about Pearl Harbor.
When asked by Takaichi about why he did not inform his allies about attacking Iran ahead of time, he responded, “Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?”
Needless to say, the interaction left the room speechless. Neither Takaichi nor her interpreter knew what to say about that. Nevertheless, Takaichi seems to have moved on from the disrespect and continued as planned with Trump despite the diplomatic gaffe.
It’s one thing to ignore humiliation, but Takaichi also laughed at a stunt Trump pulled against former President Joe Biden. Trump removed Biden’s official White House photo and replaced it with an image of his autopen instead. Takaichi found humor in the highly polarizing act. Although she was not the first person Trump showed the stunt to, her reaction was not well-received by Japanese social media users.
Japanese social media irked by Takaichi
Non-fiction publisher Yohei Ueno wrote, “Ugh, wow, this is spreading all over the world: ‘Japan’s prime minister mocks Biden.'”
Atty. Koichi Kodama reacted, “Destroying the national flag is nothing compared to this, which wounds the nation’s dignity far more deeply.”
Manga artist Takehito Morizumi wrote in English, “I want you all to know that this crazy idiot does not represent the Japanese people.”
Many more similar reactions flooded social media when photos of Takaichi came out. Some have even compared her to Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker. But Irish journalist Chay Bowes also shared a clip of the protests ongoing in Tokyo. People have gathered outside of Takaichi’s residence, holding up signs that say “No war on Iran.”
Moreover, The Asahi Shimbun reported that 82 percent of Japanese voters do not support the United States’ attack on Iran.
Despite this, Takaichi’s government has joined the G7 and only condemned Iran’s strikes against its neighbors and civilian infrastructure. She has not condemned the United States’ and Israel’s first strike against Iran.
Cozying up to Washington in the worst way
Perhaps Takaichi did not want to offend Trump, but she maneuvered the situation in a distasteful way. Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin skillfully danced around Trump’s overly positive characterization of Winston Churchill during his visit. Essentially, there is a way to correct others without the risk of offense.
Regardless, only time will tell if Takaichi will retain her popularity. According to a survey conducted by The Mainichi from February 21 to 22, the prime minister reached a 61% approval rating. Takaichi’s White House visit was shameful in the eyes of many, but it may not be what pulls her approval rating down. A better test of her political resilience would be how she handles Japan’s impending energy crisis.
(featured image: Cabinet Secretariat)
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