Japan PM Ishiba touts ‘cute’ Japan at fashion show
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Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (left) standing with Myaku-Myaku, the mascot for the 2025 Osaka World Expo, during a visit to the Tokyo Girls Collection fashion event.
PHOTO: AFP
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TOKYO - Sporting a pair of jeans and sneakers, Japan’s Prime Minister ditched his usually solemn demeanour for a fashion show to tout a “cute, lively and cool” Japan.
Surrounded on stage by members of an all-girl pop group, Mr Shigeru Ishiba made a surprise appearance on March 1 at the Tokyo Girls Collection – a popular fashion festival.
“I think it would be wonderful if an event like this gains more traction, to make Japan cute, lively and cool,” Mr Ishiba said, posing alongside “Myaku-Myaku” – the expo’s red-and-blue mascot.
The stunt came as polls showed his approval ratings recovering after he got through his first face-off with US President Donald Trump
Domestically though, Mr Ishiba’s minority government continues to face the challenge of convincing Parliament to pass a budget for the new fiscal year starting in April.
Mr Ishiba took office in 2024 before leading his ruling coalition to a loss of its majority – the first since 2009 – in October snap elections. AFP
