Piano-backed video of Japan PM's quake-hit area visit draws criticism
Tokyo, Aug 6
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has faced online criticism after a video of her visit to an earthquake-hit area in southwestern Japan, set to piano music, was criticised by some social media users as "PR piece," local media reported.
Set against a piano soundtrack, the video recaps Takaichi's Monday visit to Kumamoto Prefecture following the deadly 7.1-magnitude earthquake that jolted the region on July 28.
It features footage of the prime minister surveying disaster-hit areas from a helicopter, meeting affected residents and inspecting an evacuation centre, reports Xinhua news agency, citing local media reports.
One user wrote on X that the video posted by the Prime Minister's Office's official account was "government PR," while another accused the Takaichi administration of "using a disaster for political gain," according to Kyodo News.
At a regular press conference on Wednesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara defended the video, describing it as "a concise summary" of the visit. Responding to questions about the background piano music, he said it was "a way of presenting the prime minister's inspection of the damage in a manner that is easy to understand."
The Japanese PM visited the quake-affected areas on Monday.
"The government will do everything that it can do," Takaichi told the residents affected by the 7.1-magnitude earthquake on July 28, Kyodo News Agency reported.
Takaichi visited an evacuation shelter in the town of Hikawa, wearing a disaster response uniform.
She also observed the Aeon shopping mall in the town of Kashima from a helicopter where an explosion occurred after the quake, killing seven people. She also saw the paper plant in Yatsushiro where nine people died.
Aerial footage filmed by public broadcaster NHK helicopter on July 28 showed severe damage to the structure. Sections of the building's exterior wall had peeled away, exposing steel framework, while part of the roof appeared to have collapsed. A large hole was also visible on the rooftop.
The controversy adds to mounting challenges for Takaichi, as recent opinion polls point to a steady decline in her Cabinet's approval ratings.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 38, the prefectural government said on Sunday.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Why is everything these days turned into a "cinematic" moment? 38 people lost their lives! The piano music feels tone-deaf and disrespectful. In India, when we have tragedies, we expect a certain solemnity. This looks like the PM's office is more worried about optics than actual relief work. Very disappointing.
I see both sides here. Yes, the music is a bit much, but Japan has a culture of documentarian-style presentation. The real issue is whether she delivers on rebuilding. Let's not get distracted by the piano and focus on the 38 dead and the thousands displaced. Relief, reconstruction, and compensation are what matter.
As an outsider looking in, this is interesting. In the West, we'd never see a PM do this without massive backlash. But in Asia, we often expect our leaders to show empathy visually. It's a fine line between "PR piece" and "documenting the visit." The criticism is valid, but let's also acknowledge she's engaging with locals, which is more than some leaders do.
It reminds me of when our politicians make "inspirational" videos during floods and everyone rolls their eyes. The problem isn't the visit; it's the editorializing. Just show the damage, show the people, and let the work speak. The piano is unnecessary. How about a minute of silence instead? 🎹🚫
Respectful criticism: The video is a poor choice in tone. That said, Japanese PMs are known for this—showing up in uniforms
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.