On the 10th, Shinji Ishimaru (41), who made a breakthrough in the Tokyo gubernatorial election, was interviewed for 1 hour and 20 minutes. His way of arguing with the questioner has been mocked online as "Ishimaru syntax" and criticized as "power harassment." How does he feel about this? ■ "I was secretly teasing" the commentator by not answering his question Chiharu Saito, announcer "A precious opportunity" Ishimaru: "What are you saying now? I'm going to prick you, prick you, prick you" Ishimaru (6th) "We are no longer just audience members, we are friends. Shinji Ishimaru and his fun friends are all here." Ishimaru (last month) "I've told you again here. It's politics and the media that haven't been updated. Please keep reporting." Ishimaru's style is very harsh on the media, while appealing deeply to the audience. However, in the solo interview on the 10th, things had changed. Ishimaru: "It's okay to ask me anything. I know how much pressure I'm putting on you. I'm really sorry. Of course, if you saw what happened during the election results, you would think that (Saito) had an unpleasant job." Saito: "I'm nervous, to be honest." During the TV broadcast immediately after the news of his defeat, Ishimaru had a stern expression throughout the commentator's questions. He retorted, "Are you asking the same question over and over again?" and ultimately did not answer the question. On the Internet, this has come to be mocked as the "Ishimaru syntax." Ishimaru: "(The commentators) are assuming their own opinions too much, so their questions are all leading the way. But no one's going to go along with that. I'm sure it would cause problems if they said it on TV. But please do use it. I was secretly teasing them." Saito: "Teasing them... is that so?" Ishimaru: "Oh, he's getting worked up, he's getting worked up. You don't like this kind of thing. That's why people write things online like 'This guy has few friends'." ■ "Ishimaru syntax" has become a bit of a comedy routine on social media... "It's so funny" Some people compare his powerful choice of words to that of Koizumi Shinjiro. Saito: "Your words are often compared to Shinjiro Koizumi's sayings and the way he speaks." Ishimaru: "That makes me proud. It feels like I'm waiting in line to be like Shinjiro Koizumi. It's funny." Fuka Ryo's X: "I'm worried. I wonder if Ishimaru can order Subway." Social media was filled with "Ishimaru Syntax" and turned into a comedy show. Ishimaru: "BLT." Staff: "What kind of bread?" Ishimaru: "Did I mention the bread?" Staff: "I'm asking you again what kind of bread?" Ishimaru: "Are you asking the same question over and over? I just answered that question." It seems that Ishimaru himself hadn't seen these posts... Ishimaru: "That (Ishimaru Syntax Ogiri) is really funny, isn't it? I think I'll go to Subway after this. Let's try it there. 'What on earth are you talking about?' On the contrary, ordering at Subway is super fast. If you ask specifically, you'll answer right away." Ishimaru's smile can also be seen. The impression is quite different from during the election campaign. Ishimaru (last month) "(Q. Who will come to support you) Support? What, support?" "(Q. Is SNS and video distribution the key point this time?) Why do you seem a little unsure at the end? Is that still the time frame?" ■Harsh remarks to a question from a former Nogizaka46 member...No regrets, but regrets In an interview for the election results, he responded to a question from a former Nogizaka46 talent with harsh remarks such as "The premise is incorrect." Ishimaru: "I was interviewed by a former idol or a current idol. Was she from Nogizaka? She asked me a question, and I answered in the usual way, and it was evaluated as being too bad. Apparently she herself said something like "It was scary." I feel a little sorry for those people." Although he says he has no regrets, he now seems to be regretting his actions. Ishimaru: "When I cut him down in a serious fight, it seems like he didn't even have a bamboo sword. But if I were there again, I would do the same thing. I don't think it's kind to show mercy to women and children. Maybe it would have been better if I'd spoken to him gently. Maybe it would have been better to give him a pat? But it's still rude, isn't it? If the other person was there as a professional." Ishimaru (June 2022) "Shame on you, shame on you" ■ "Antis" stand out on social media... "Pressure makes diamonds" Since his time as mayor of Aki-Takata, Hiroshima Prefecture, Ishimaru has used YouTube and other platforms to gain support from the younger generation. Ishimaru (6th) "Elections are the most fun. A big round of applause for everyone" While he has gained many fans on his side, the presence of "antis" stands out on social media. Saito: "I'm sure there are some people who will voice their critical opinions." Ishimaru: "I see, that's a good perspective." Saito: "Do you also look at critical social media posts?" Ishimaru: "Honestly, I don't look at social media that much myself. I just feel like there's a bit of a commotion. I don't go out of my way to ego-search (search for my name). In the past, there were a lot of phrases like 'Ishimaru Shinji single' or 'girlfriend', but now I think it's filled with anti-comments, like 'Ishimaru Shinji power harassment' and things like that." "However, there is a question of how far you can go if you go too far, and severe slander and libel is not good after all. However, I think it's unavoidable as long as a politician is in politics. There's a phrase I really like, which is 'pressure makes diamonds.' Pressure makes diamonds. I believe that pressure is a necessary force. I think that will be to my advantage. That's what I'm telling myself now, and I tell myself all the time." Saito: "As I watched the election campaign, I noticed that he calculated and thought about the strength of his 'words' and how his words will be interpreted." Ishimaru: "I'd go so far as to say he did everything, but he does think about it quite a bit." Saito: "Where did he study that sort of thing? Movies or books?" Ishimaru: "I'm self-taught." Saito: "Self-taught?" Ishimaru: "I record my own lectures and seminars for an hour, and always listen to them again later and give my own criticisms." ■ Strategies online and in real life The true meaning behind "cutting down politicians with a single stroke"... Regarding the social media strategy that attracted attention in this Tokyo gubernatorial election... Saito: "Even though he had a lot of support online, what was the intention behind your strategy of putting effort into real-life street speeches on top of that?" Ishimaru: "Some media outlets tend to look back on Ishimaru Shinji's election campaign as if he 'came up with a strange tactic' and that it was like an aerial battle, but that doesn't apply at all, and I've been wondering what they were looking at. He was in an overwhelmingly disadvantageous position. He had to use everything he could, and there was no time to be stingy. He made full use of the internet, and even in the real world, he was just going around giving street speeches from morning until night." "It's the business model of the global music industry. You can watch music videos for free on YouTube. You spread the word that way, and then in the end, people gather to watch a 'live performance'. It's exactly the same thing. I thought that if it could be done in the music scene, it could be done in politics too." Saito: "Is that also a strategy?" Ishimaru: "It wasn't even a good strategy, I just copied them. (Street speeches) are like going to a 'live performance'. Voters think it's boring. (Things that are over) 'out of date' is what elections and politics are. It would be a waste if they weren't done in a way that was well received. Politics exists for the voters and the people. Why keep doing boring things like that? That's why I call them politicians." (From "Good! Morning" broadcast on July 11, 2024) [TV Asahi News] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp