simon loves books📚活字中毒の左衛門
@kant.bsky.social
co-founder of Salon Séance. philosopher at heart, historian by trade. did the research for Gambling Man (Allen Lane, 2024; 邦訳『勝負師』日経BP). next book: Tokyo’s Private Railway Empires. 元자이니치. 京都生まれ名古屋育ち東京在住. simonは芸名です.
https://salonseance.com
https://salonseance.com
Religious studies scholar Shimada Hiromi has a new book on Sanseito out this week
He details how Sanseito adopts tactics already proven effective by Komeito (which Shimada has studied for decades)
And by JCP and Reiwa (Furuya Tsunehira’s book from last month is also good on the Reiwa connection)
He details how Sanseito adopts tactics already proven effective by Komeito (which Shimada has studied for decades)
And by JCP and Reiwa (Furuya Tsunehira’s book from last month is also good on the Reiwa connection)
November 13, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Religious studies scholar Shimada Hiromi has a new book on Sanseito out this week
He details how Sanseito adopts tactics already proven effective by Komeito (which Shimada has studied for decades)
And by JCP and Reiwa (Furuya Tsunehira’s book from last month is also good on the Reiwa connection)
He details how Sanseito adopts tactics already proven effective by Komeito (which Shimada has studied for decades)
And by JCP and Reiwa (Furuya Tsunehira’s book from last month is also good on the Reiwa connection)
autumnal mazesoba with porcini and beef in mushroom cream sauce
October 30, 2025 at 5:27 PM
autumnal mazesoba with porcini and beef in mushroom cream sauce
The exit polls also showed that Wada had the highest vote share among under-50s
Source: www.fnn.jp/articles/-/9...
Source: www.fnn.jp/articles/-/9...
October 27, 2025 at 3:52 AM
The exit polls also showed that Wada had the highest vote share among under-50s
Source: www.fnn.jp/articles/-/9...
Source: www.fnn.jp/articles/-/9...
Once again, the "conspiracy parties" revealed themselves
In yesterday's Miyagi governor race, the LDP-backed incumbent Murai won by 1.8% against the Sanseito-backed Wada whose supporters spread misinfo about Murai
Exit polls show Sanseito, DPP and Reiwa have the highest share of Wada supporters
In yesterday's Miyagi governor race, the LDP-backed incumbent Murai won by 1.8% against the Sanseito-backed Wada whose supporters spread misinfo about Murai
Exit polls show Sanseito, DPP and Reiwa have the highest share of Wada supporters
October 27, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Once again, the "conspiracy parties" revealed themselves
In yesterday's Miyagi governor race, the LDP-backed incumbent Murai won by 1.8% against the Sanseito-backed Wada whose supporters spread misinfo about Murai
Exit polls show Sanseito, DPP and Reiwa have the highest share of Wada supporters
In yesterday's Miyagi governor race, the LDP-backed incumbent Murai won by 1.8% against the Sanseito-backed Wada whose supporters spread misinfo about Murai
Exit polls show Sanseito, DPP and Reiwa have the highest share of Wada supporters
Ishiba is similar to Abe in that his cabinet’s approval rating consistently stays above that of his party www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZ...
Another similarity, of course, is that Abe also tried to stay on as PM after the Upper House election loss in 2007
Another similarity, of course, is that Abe also tried to stay on as PM after the Upper House election loss in 2007
August 14, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Ishiba is similar to Abe in that his cabinet’s approval rating consistently stays above that of his party www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZ...
Another similarity, of course, is that Abe also tried to stay on as PM after the Upper House election loss in 2007
Another similarity, of course, is that Abe also tried to stay on as PM after the Upper House election loss in 2007
Update: According to Aoyama Shigeharu, there were in fact 63 people who spoke, with 38 calling for Ishiba to resign, 8 saying he doesn't need to, while 17 remained neutral
After the meeting, Ishiba said he still intends to stay on and Moriyama said preparations will be made for a General Conference
After the meeting, Ishiba said he still intends to stay on and Moriyama said preparations will be made for a General Conference
July 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Update: According to Aoyama Shigeharu, there were in fact 63 people who spoke, with 38 calling for Ishiba to resign, 8 saying he doesn't need to, while 17 remained neutral
After the meeting, Ishiba said he still intends to stay on and Moriyama said preparations will be made for a General Conference
After the meeting, Ishiba said he still intends to stay on and Moriyama said preparations will be made for a General Conference
An informal meeting of LDP diet members (incl. both new and outgoing members given the recent election) was convened today
Many did not attend, but it lasted from 3:30pm to 8pm, with 64 members in total airing their opinions
Those who took to the mic were mainly rebels, but also a few pro-Ishibans
Many did not attend, but it lasted from 3:30pm to 8pm, with 64 members in total airing their opinions
Those who took to the mic were mainly rebels, but also a few pro-Ishibans
July 28, 2025 at 12:48 PM
An informal meeting of LDP diet members (incl. both new and outgoing members given the recent election) was convened today
Many did not attend, but it lasted from 3:30pm to 8pm, with 64 members in total airing their opinions
Those who took to the mic were mainly rebels, but also a few pro-Ishibans
Many did not attend, but it lasted from 3:30pm to 8pm, with 64 members in total airing their opinions
Those who took to the mic were mainly rebels, but also a few pro-Ishibans
The Yomiuri conducted a survey of LDP's prefectural chapters over whether they think Ishiba should resign and claimed that the Osaka chapter answered "yes"
The Osaka chapter is going to formally put in a complaint to the newspaper for misrepresenting their stance which should in fact be "undecided"
The Osaka chapter is going to formally put in a complaint to the newspaper for misrepresenting their stance which should in fact be "undecided"
July 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
The Yomiuri conducted a survey of LDP's prefectural chapters over whether they think Ishiba should resign and claimed that the Osaka chapter answered "yes"
The Osaka chapter is going to formally put in a complaint to the newspaper for misrepresenting their stance which should in fact be "undecided"
The Osaka chapter is going to formally put in a complaint to the newspaper for misrepresenting their stance which should in fact be "undecided"
Takaichi and Fujii are due to publish a co-authored book (in fact, an edited transcript of a 6-hour discussion between them) on 20th September
The book’s working title is “Japan First” www.hanmoto.com/bd/isbn/9784...
The book’s working title is “Japan First” www.hanmoto.com/bd/isbn/9784...
July 26, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Takaichi and Fujii are due to publish a co-authored book (in fact, an edited transcript of a 6-hour discussion between them) on 20th September
The book’s working title is “Japan First” www.hanmoto.com/bd/isbn/9784...
The book’s working title is “Japan First” www.hanmoto.com/bd/isbn/9784...
＞PM hopeful Takaichi Sanae posted a thread criticising the trade deal, where she appeared to accept the mistaken view of her economic adviser Fujii Satoshi (Prof. of Civil Engineering at Kyoto) that the tariff applies only to the US-Japan trade deficit rather than to the total value of imports
2/2
2/2
July 26, 2025 at 3:54 PM
＞PM hopeful Takaichi Sanae posted a thread criticising the trade deal, where she appeared to accept the mistaken view of her economic adviser Fujii Satoshi (Prof. of Civil Engineering at Kyoto) that the tariff applies only to the US-Japan trade deficit rather than to the total value of imports
2/2
2/2
Today's developments:
＞In an interview with NHK, Ishiba commented on the rebellion in his party by saying he's staying on for the sake of national interest
＞Motegi appeared with Suzuki Takako—a member of his former faction—in a new video on his YouTube channel and called for a change in leader
1/2
＞In an interview with NHK, Ishiba commented on the rebellion in his party by saying he's staying on for the sake of national interest
＞Motegi appeared with Suzuki Takako—a member of his former faction—in a new video on his YouTube channel and called for a change in leader
1/2
July 26, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Today's developments:
＞In an interview with NHK, Ishiba commented on the rebellion in his party by saying he's staying on for the sake of national interest
＞Motegi appeared with Suzuki Takako—a member of his former faction—in a new video on his YouTube channel and called for a change in leader
1/2
＞In an interview with NHK, Ishiba commented on the rebellion in his party by saying he's staying on for the sake of national interest
＞Motegi appeared with Suzuki Takako—a member of his former faction—in a new video on his YouTube channel and called for a change in leader
1/2
In fact, the NHK piece linked above quotes Sanseito's Kamiya as having told Ishiba that the negotiation should be continued "not just at the working level, but the Prime Minister must also negotiate with President Trump directly"
And in a speech tonight, Ishiba reiterated his resolve to stay on
And in a speech tonight, Ishiba reiterated his resolve to stay on
July 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
In fact, the NHK piece linked above quotes Sanseito's Kamiya as having told Ishiba that the negotiation should be continued "not just at the working level, but the Prime Minister must also negotiate with President Trump directly"
And in a speech tonight, Ishiba reiterated his resolve to stay on
And in a speech tonight, Ishiba reiterated his resolve to stay on
MoF conspiracy theory books still selling well
Morinaga Takurō (bottom row) and the remnants of the Abenomics-era reflationists (top row, they now primarily write for the rightwing magazines Hanada and WiLL)
This shelf is near the entrance of the 3rd largest bookshop in Tokyo (Marunouchi Maruzen)
Morinaga Takurō (bottom row) and the remnants of the Abenomics-era reflationists (top row, they now primarily write for the rightwing magazines Hanada and WiLL)
This shelf is near the entrance of the 3rd largest bookshop in Tokyo (Marunouchi Maruzen)
July 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
MoF conspiracy theory books still selling well
Morinaga Takurō (bottom row) and the remnants of the Abenomics-era reflationists (top row, they now primarily write for the rightwing magazines Hanada and WiLL)
This shelf is near the entrance of the 3rd largest bookshop in Tokyo (Marunouchi Maruzen)
Morinaga Takurō (bottom row) and the remnants of the Abenomics-era reflationists (top row, they now primarily write for the rightwing magazines Hanada and WiLL)
This shelf is near the entrance of the 3rd largest bookshop in Tokyo (Marunouchi Maruzen)
The new issue of the Bunshun Weekly has a piece on the ‘recall petition’ in the LDP
The former Motegi, Aso and Abe factions are joining forces to launch a new leadership election — the same three factions that coordinated Takaichi’s leadership bid last time
Also, Takaichi met with Nishimura today
The former Motegi, Aso and Abe factions are joining forces to launch a new leadership election — the same three factions that coordinated Takaichi’s leadership bid last time
Also, Takaichi met with Nishimura today
July 24, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The new issue of the Bunshun Weekly has a piece on the ‘recall petition’ in the LDP
The former Motegi, Aso and Abe factions are joining forces to launch a new leadership election — the same three factions that coordinated Takaichi’s leadership bid last time
Also, Takaichi met with Nishimura today
The former Motegi, Aso and Abe factions are joining forces to launch a new leadership election — the same three factions that coordinated Takaichi’s leadership bid last time
Also, Takaichi met with Nishimura today
anything can happen
July 24, 2025 at 5:28 AM
anything can happen
TV Asahi notes that Takaichi does not have a strong base within the LDP
During the last leadership election, she had the following 20 diet members put her forward as a candidate
But 8 of them have since lost their seats in national elections where the former Abe faction members faced a wipeout
During the last leadership election, she had the following 20 diet members put her forward as a candidate
But 8 of them have since lost their seats in national elections where the former Abe faction members faced a wipeout
July 23, 2025 at 1:12 PM
TV Asahi notes that Takaichi does not have a strong base within the LDP
During the last leadership election, she had the following 20 diet members put her forward as a candidate
But 8 of them have since lost their seats in national elections where the former Abe faction members faced a wipeout
During the last leadership election, she had the following 20 diet members put her forward as a candidate
But 8 of them have since lost their seats in national elections where the former Abe faction members faced a wipeout
> Ishiba and Moriyama holding a Discussion Session on the 31st with all LDP diet members to air out and resolve discontent
> There is a petition going around to convene a General Conference of LDP diet members
> Heading towards a showdown at the GC with a vote on motion to have Ishiba resign
2/2
> There is a petition going around to convene a General Conference of LDP diet members
> Heading towards a showdown at the GC with a vote on motion to have Ishiba resign
2/2
July 23, 2025 at 10:05 AM
> Ishiba and Moriyama holding a Discussion Session on the 31st with all LDP diet members to air out and resolve discontent
> There is a petition going around to convene a General Conference of LDP diet members
> Heading towards a showdown at the GC with a vote on motion to have Ishiba resign
2/2
> There is a petition going around to convene a General Conference of LDP diet members
> Heading towards a showdown at the GC with a vote on motion to have Ishiba resign
2/2
Movements within LDP since yesterday:
> Hayashi met with his former Kishida faction fellows where high-ranking LDP members like Onodera and Matsuyama were also present
> Aso and Motegi (leaders of two former factions) discussed post-Ishiba gameplans
> Takaichi met with her group of supporters
1/2
> Hayashi met with his former Kishida faction fellows where high-ranking LDP members like Onodera and Matsuyama were also present
> Aso and Motegi (leaders of two former factions) discussed post-Ishiba gameplans
> Takaichi met with her group of supporters
1/2
July 23, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Movements within LDP since yesterday:
> Hayashi met with his former Kishida faction fellows where high-ranking LDP members like Onodera and Matsuyama were also present
> Aso and Motegi (leaders of two former factions) discussed post-Ishiba gameplans
> Takaichi met with her group of supporters
1/2
> Hayashi met with his former Kishida faction fellows where high-ranking LDP members like Onodera and Matsuyama were also present
> Aso and Motegi (leaders of two former factions) discussed post-Ishiba gameplans
> Takaichi met with her group of supporters
1/2
Ishiba denied any and all media reports of his resignation on air
July 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Ishiba denied any and all media reports of his resignation on air
In stark comparison to e.g. the US, Twitter is still the top social media platform in Japan by number of monthly active users — ahead of Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
*Discounting LINE (our equivalent of WhatsApp) and YouTube since they do not appear in US data gaiax-socialmedialab.jp/socialmedia/...
*Discounting LINE (our equivalent of WhatsApp) and YouTube since they do not appear in US data gaiax-socialmedialab.jp/socialmedia/...
July 22, 2025 at 3:06 AM
In stark comparison to e.g. the US, Twitter is still the top social media platform in Japan by number of monthly active users — ahead of Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
*Discounting LINE (our equivalent of WhatsApp) and YouTube since they do not appear in US data gaiax-socialmedialab.jp/socialmedia/...
*Discounting LINE (our equivalent of WhatsApp) and YouTube since they do not appear in US data gaiax-socialmedialab.jp/socialmedia/...
Why Japanese businesses accounts won't leave Twitter (from a viral post back in February) anond.hatelabo.jp/20250214185341
July 22, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Why Japanese businesses accounts won't leave Twitter (from a viral post back in February) anond.hatelabo.jp/20250214185341
While the term was used in that way prior to 2022, it has since become an actual conspiracy theory about “mind control” of politicians and of the press perpetrated by MoF
I recommend reading Morinaga Takuro’s bestseller Zaimu Shinrikyo where he makes these claims— he is favourably taken up by Reiwa
I recommend reading Morinaga Takuro’s bestseller Zaimu Shinrikyo where he makes these claims— he is favourably taken up by Reiwa
July 21, 2025 at 4:51 AM
While the term was used in that way prior to 2022, it has since become an actual conspiracy theory about “mind control” of politicians and of the press perpetrated by MoF
I recommend reading Morinaga Takuro’s bestseller Zaimu Shinrikyo where he makes these claims— he is favourably taken up by Reiwa
I recommend reading Morinaga Takuro’s bestseller Zaimu Shinrikyo where he makes these claims— he is favourably taken up by Reiwa
The more I read these overly earnest attempts to understand and come to terms with low info voters, the more convinced I become that it's kind of fruitless digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
Is the lesson here that going viral on YouTube and flattering people's existing worldview is the way to go?
Is the lesson here that going viral on YouTube and flattering people's existing worldview is the way to go?
July 21, 2025 at 4:05 AM
The more I read these overly earnest attempts to understand and come to terms with low info voters, the more convinced I become that it's kind of fruitless digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
Is the lesson here that going viral on YouTube and flattering people's existing worldview is the way to go?
Is the lesson here that going viral on YouTube and flattering people's existing worldview is the way to go?