VOX POPULI: Shizuoka head’s sudden exit leaves question about his ‘talent’

My image of the prototypical Japanese military officers who were born during the Meiji Era (1868-1912) is that of taciturn men who lead others with their appearances seen from behind.

However, Isoroku Yamamoto (1884-1943), the commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet during World War II, once asserted that, “You cannot get people to do what you want unless you show them how to do it, tell them specifically why you want them to do it, let them try it by themselves and then praise them.”

This is a fine message to bear in mind when welcoming this year’s new workers. Yamamoto was born on April 4 exactly 140 years ago.

In contrast, Shuzuoka Governor Heita Kawakatsu’s recent speech was anything but fine, even though he insisted that if people read his entire speech, they would realize they’d misunderstood his intent.

“Do not be a sycophant, do not throw your weight around your juniors and do not abandon people who are going through a rough patch,” he has said, and I certainly agree with him.

But Kawakatsu definitely crossed the line when he insulted produce farmers, cattle farmers and factory workers by rating them as “less intelligent” than prefectural officials.

“I am sincerely sorry,” he apologized at a news conference on April 3.

But then he said he had no intention of retracting his remarks. Completely devoid of weight, his words just floated aimlessly in the air.

One thing I don’t understand is that he cited the magnetic levitation (maglev) high-speed train project as the main reason for his decision to resign as governor.

The Shizuoka prefectural government has not approved the maglev line’s tunnel construction work within its jurisdiction.

And on March 29, Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) announced its new Shinkansen line would not begin operating in 2027 as planned.

This, according to Kawakatsu, indicated that the project had reached the “end of one phase.”

But what has that got to do with his stepping down as governor? Simply put, why he is quitting remains unexplained.

Yamamoto wrote, “Men of middling talent are propped up by their professional status, men of great talent don’t let their status get in their way and men of little talent tarnish their status.”

Kawakatsu was an economist when his political acumen was recognized 15 years ago and he became a local administrator.

And now, he is simply exiting the stage in a rather abrupt manner. What is the size of his talent? Great, middling or small?

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 4

* *

Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.