VOX POPULI: Leadership requires verbs, not adjectives

Last September, I wrote in this column about a biting remark by former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone to Yukio Hatoyama when he was secretary-general of New Party Sakigake, a political party which no longer exists.

"Politics is not something you conduct with adjectives such as beautiful or gleaming, but with verbs," he said.

In rebutting the comment, Hatoyama said, "I believe we should attach importance to philosophical adjectives before action."

It is true that politics without adjectives would be uninspiring.

Be that as it may, politics without verbs would be nothing more than pie in the sky. With his comment, it is almost as if Nakasone had foreseen this day.

Poets who put sentimental feelings into words in a romantic way are called Seikin-ha (literally, stars-and-violet school).

In announcing his intention to step down at a general meeting of Democratic Party of Japan lawmakers of both houses, Hatoyama demonstrated his romantic side by saying, "A little bird told me it's time I went back home." Who else would resign the post of prime minister with such a comment?

He also repeatedly referred to his sincere "thoughts" on the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture. He lamented that he failed to win the people's understanding. He was wrong on this point. Many people do understand.

What caused so much disappointment among the public was that there were no signs that he seriously negotiated with the United States to achieve those thoughts. Unable to stand firm, the weak-kneed prime minister betrayed Okinawa.

Let me recount an anecdote about former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida (1878-1967). An angry Yoshida once tossed water from a glass at a newspaper reporter.

In answer to a noble person who told him, "I understand your feelings," Yoshida said: "Anyone can think they want to throw water. The important thing is to do it."

DPJ Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa is also resigning. The new system that replaces the one led by Ozawa and Hatoyama does not need sugar-coated words, just simple and firm verbs.

With the end of the dual leadership system, the subject of the sentence should also be singular.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 3

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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.