This essay, dated November 20, 2019, continues an article by Yoshiko Sakurai published in Shukan Shincho.
It examines Jun Azumi’s criticism of Prime Minister Abe’s press exchange over the “Cherry Blossom Viewing Party” and argues that Azumi’s own remarks insulted the Kantei reporters.
It criticizes opposition politicians for neglecting the grave national issues Japan faces amid a severe international environment.

November 20, 2019.
This is a model of the kind of mental circuitry one acquires after graduating from Ishinomaki High School, entering Waseda University, and becoming a political operator of the Democratic Party and then the Constitutional Democratic Party.
The following is the continuation of the previous chapter.
It is Mr. Azumi who insulted the reporters.
Considering the course of events, in which the press club side requested a second interview in the evening because the short doorstep interview at noon was insufficient, the reporters must have investigated and prepared their questions by the evening, or rather even before then.
That is precisely why the prime minister said that if they asked him now, he would answer.
The prime minister was trying to answer, and there was neither ulterior motive nor malice in that.
However, Mr. Azumi criticized this exchange as follows.
“I was extremely surprised.
Omission.
Excuse me, but suddenly coming down to the reporters assigned to cover the prime minister, and taking the attitude toward unprepared reporters of ‘Listen to what I say, ask me questions,’ is, omission, also an insult to all members of the media.”
By what kind of mental circuitry does one arrive at such an interpretation?
＊This is a model of the kind of mental circuitry one acquires after graduating from Ishinomaki High School, entering Waseda University, and becoming a political operator of the Democratic Party and then the Constitutional Democratic Party＊
Did he speak without knowing the circumstances before and after?
I repeat: the evening interview was something the reporters requested because they wanted to ask more questions.
Naturally, the questions had been prepared.
The prime minister was answering sincerely, and he did not approach them with any attitude such as “Listen to what I say.”
Nor did he insult the media.
Mr. Azumi’s phrase “unprepared reporters” is also not factual.
As already mentioned, the reporters had prepared.
It is Mr. Azumi who insulted the reporters.
Mr. Azumi also spoke as follows about the reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The prime minister suddenly came down to the young reporters assigned to cover him, who had made no such preparations,” “he came before reporters who knew nothing,” “he suddenly came before reporters who had no basic knowledge,” and “before reporters who had little basic knowledge of this matter,” he repeated endlessly.
The reporters stationed at the Prime Minister’s Office have certainly been looked down upon.
Are they not frustrated at being looked down upon to this extent by no more than a single politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party?
If the reporters who cover the center of politics do not feel indignation, then that too is a matter of shameful lack of pride.
Japan truly faces many serious problems.
If they are politicians, then while reviewing the proper form of the Cherry Blossom Viewing Party, they should devote themselves with their lives at stake to the greater issues that determine Japan’s fate.
I shudder at the utter meaninglessness of the existence of opposition politicians who have neither that resolve nor that way of thinking.