Kyodo News alleged recent comments by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa discriminated against certain women. But is this really the case?
May 29, 2024
By Daniel Manning
Foreign Minister Kamikawa gives a speech in Shizuoka City on the afternoon of May 18. (©Kyodo)
On May 18, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa delivered a speech in Shizuoka Prefecture in support of a gubernatorial election candidate. In her speech, Kamikawa used imagery that some construed as referencing childbirth to encourage female attendees to vote.
Later, the same day, Kyodo News ran an article about these comments on its English-language website. The headline read, "Japan's female foreign minister queries women's worth without birth in an election speech." Barely 100 words long, the piece offered scant context for Kamikawa's remarks and condemned them as demonstrating "a lack of sensitivity."
Kamikawa, Japan's foreign minister and a potential future prime minister, is now facing backlash from certain media.
However, although Kyodo anticipated criticism of Kamikawa's comments, ironically, the news outlet's article has arguably garnered even more criticism. Several lawmakers, including Yuichiro Tamaki and Takako Suzuki, have slammed the article for its poor translation and misleading nature. The result, they argued, prompts concerns about deliberate misreporting by Kyodo.
So what exactly did Kamikawa say? Truly grasping the essence of the foreign minister's statement will necessitate clarification and, unsurprisingly, more than 100 words.
On May 18, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa delivered a speech in Shizuoka Prefecture in support of a gubernatorial election candidate. In her speech, Kamikawa used imagery that some construed as referencing childbirth to encourage female attendees to vote.
Later, the same day, Kyodo News ran an article about these comments on its English-language website. The headline read, "Japan's female foreign minister queries women's worth without birth in an election speech." Barely 100 words long, the piece offered scant context for Kamikawa's remarks and condemned them as demonstrating "a lack of sensitivity."
Kamikawa, Japan's foreign minister and a potential future prime minister, is now facing backlash from certain media.
However, although Kyodo anticipated criticism of Kamikawa's comments, ironically, the news outlet's article has arguably garnered even more criticism. Several lawmakers, including Yuichiro Tamaki and Takako Suzuki, have slammed the article for its poor translation and misleading nature. The result, they argued, prompts concerns about deliberate misreporting by Kyodo.
So what exactly did Kamikawa say? Truly grasping the essence of the foreign minister's statement will necessitate clarification and, unsurprisingly, more than 100 words.
A Call to Vote
Kamikawa took the stage in Shizuoka City on May 18, rallying support for candidate Shinichi Omura. Before a crowd exceeding 100, the minister appealed to the numerous women present for their votes. "How can we call ourselves women if we do not bring (Omura)'s administration into the world?" she asked.
Reflecting on her first campaign, Kamikawa revealed that she used to tell voters, "[We are] in the throes of birth. I ask for your help in ensuring a safe delivery."
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"Giving birth is painful and daunting," she continued. "However, as we contemplate the future of Shizuoka waiting to be born and its present condition, we must not falter." Concluding her speech, the minister stated, "If we come together and combine our strengths, we can prevail in this fight."
Foreign Minister Kamikawa responds to supporters in Shizuoka City on the morning of May 19. (©Kyodo)
Clear Misinterpretation
Some media have argued that Kamikawa was discriminating against women unable to bear children.
It seems redundant to have to point it out, but Kamikawa was, of course, speaking figuratively. Naturally, she was not making literal assertions about anyone's reproductive functions. She did not imply that a woman's value hinges on her ability to have children. Kamikawa was simply appealing to women as a voting demographic. One would think encouraging more women to vote should be applauded.
It appears that the women present on May 18 did not object to Kamikawa's statements. Instead of boos or hisses, her words were met with resounding applause.
LDP Reaction
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) politicians have criticized Kyodo's report and emphasized the potential harm it could cause. Takako Suzuki, the Director of the LDP's Youth Division, addressed the issue in an interview with The Sankei Shimbun on May 21. "The article's misrepresentation of Kamikawa's words failed to capture their true meaning," she said. Suzuki added, "It also threatens Japan's international image."
In addition, Suzuki highlighted the foreign minister's advocacy for women. Kamikawa is currently focusing on promoting women's participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding through the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiative. "Considering Kamikawa's dedication to WPS, I'm sure she's disappointed, if not deeply troubled, by this development," Suzuki commented.
On May 19, Suzuki took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the Kyodo News English article. "Doesn't this article require an apology and correction? (Kamikawa) said no such thing, did she?" Suzuki wrote. In response to her post, Toshiko Abe, an LDP member in the House of Representatives, chimed in, "She most certainly didn't!"
Foreign Minister Kamikawa shakes hands with voters in Shizuoka City on May 11. (©Kyodo)Tamaki's Take
Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, also voiced his opinion on the matter. In a May 19 X post, he wrote, "Pundits are touting Kamikawa as a potential candidate for the next prime minister. In that sense, I think she was careless to leave herself open to attack with a statement like that."
However, Tamaki noted linguistic discrepancies between initial and subsequent reports. "At first, certain media outlets ran headlines like 'What defines a woman if she doesn't give birth?'" he observed. "Later, there was a change in approach. Online articles began replacing the kanji for 'doesn't give birth' (産まず, umazu) with the hiragana (うまず, umazu)."
This is a subtle but crucial difference. While 産まず explicitly refers to giving birth, うまず can connote a more figurative meaning, implying the failure to achieve or realize something.
"The initial reports seemed to categorically define women as 'those who give birth,'" Tamaki explained. "Following the correction, the message is clearer, emphasizing the need to 'elect a new governor.'"
Tamaki also questioned the motivations behind the original headlines. "I'd like to believe that the media didn't select the original headlines simply to create a stir and boost article views," he emphasized. "But if they did, they should seriously consider whether that was the best approach."
Censure and Concession
Despite the bipartisan support Kamikawa received following the media coverage, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was less sympathetic. Speaking to reporters about the foreign minister's remarks on May 19, he said, "It is best to avoid misleading statements."
The same day, Kamikawa clarified the intent behind her statements. "I meant to encourage women to make their voices heard and contribute to electing a governor," she told reporters. "However, I accept that some may interpret my intentions differently and hereby retract my statement."
But as the philosopher Karl Popper once said, "It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." If he had lived to see the 21st century, he might have added: "deliberately misinterpreted by the media."
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