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Aso Taro: Japanese Politician Under Fire (Again) For Sexist Comments
The Liberal Democratic Party’s Aso Taro can’t seem to open his mouth without a sexist comment flying out — and his latest is a doozy.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice President Tarō Asō (麻生太郎), 83, is under fire for sexist statements yet again.
During a speech on Sunday in Ashiya, Fukuoka, Asō sprinkled rude comments about Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa’s (上川陽子) appearance on top of praising her work performance since assuming the role in September 2023.
Asō said, “I wouldn’t call her beautiful, but she speaks confidently, properly speaks English, and schedules meetings with people she needs to meet without the help of diplomats.”
During his speech, Asō also mistakenly referred to Kamikawa as “Kamimura” twice.
Despite being older than Kamikawa, who turns 71 on March 1st, Asō called her an “old lady” in a backhanded insult.
“Even from us men’s perspective, this old lady is impressive.”
In the same speech, Asō went on to discount the two female Foreign Ministers, Makiko Tanaka (2001–2002) and Tanaka Junko (2002–2004), when he said “I don’t think there has been a past case of a woman becoming Japan’s Foreign Minister.”
