Direct translations
Impressive! Takaichi used world-class language to turn the page on the CCP
—Sanae Takaichi quotes a line from "Attack on Titan" to urge investment in Japan! Akio Yaita reveals the strategy behind it
Editor : Fang Xun / Source : Newtalk / https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/1202/2313846.html / Image : Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Photo: Taken from the Prime Minister's Official Residence
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Tokyo on 1 December 2025. During her speech, she quoted a line from the popular manga *Attack on Titan*, specifically from the character Eren Yeager: "Shut up, everyone! Just invest everything in me!" This sparked heated discussion. In response, veteran media personality Akio Yaita commented that Japanese anime is a global language. In many diplomatic situations, using complex political language is unlikely to be effective; a simple anime line that even a child can understand is much more memorable.
Akio Yaita posted on Facebook: "China is still fixated on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on November 7th regarding Taiwan, protesting, imposing sanctions, banning Chinese tourists from Japan, and even blacklisting Japanese celebrities. The whole set of actions seems tough, but in reality, it's like an unstoppable emotional blackmail. But the protested Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has already turned the page."
Yita mentioned that while China was comprehensively blocking Japan politically, economically, and culturally, Takaichi attended an investment conference in Tokyo led by Saudi Arabia, where her speech attracted extensive international media coverage. This was because she quoted a line from *Attack on Titan*. Near the end of her speech, she smiled and said in English, "Shut up! Invest all your money in me!" This appeal to the attendees to invest in Japan ignited enthusiastic applause. Calm, direct, and responsible—it was the tone of a leader.
Yita pointed out that Takaichi is very aware that Japanese anime is a global language. She chose to appeal to the international community in a universally understood "common language," declaring, "Japan is trustworthy, Japan is worth your gamble." This wasn't boasting or self-aggrandizement, but a strategy. In many diplomatic situations, using complex political language rarely moves the other side. It's better to use a simple, relatable line from an anime that even a child can understand, expressing Japan's will concisely and powerfully, making it memorable.
Akio Yaita further pointed out that although Sanae Takaichi has only been in office for a month, she has already become the prime minister in recent years who has best "made Japan visible to the world." She is unafraid of Chinese pressure, does not back down, and is not afraid to speak the truth. She handles situations calmly and with neither servility nor arrogance. Her attitude has brought courage and inspired many countries that have been bullied by China but dared not speak out.
Takaichi's 10-word buzzword spree wins Japan's annual buzzword award!
Editor : Fang Xun / Source : Newtalk / https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/1202/2313913.html / Image : After being elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that she would work hard "work, work, work, work, work," a phrase that won the annual Japan's most popular phrase award. (Kyodo News) Photo: Provided by Central News Agency
The top 10 and the grand prize of the year-end "Basic Knowledge of Modern Terminology 2025 T&D Insurance Group New Phrases & Best Phrases Awards" were announced today. The grand prize was won by "Work, work, work, work, work," a phrase uttered by Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi.
According to Nikkan Sports, after being elected LDP president on 4 October 2025, Takaichi stated in a speech to party members that she would work hard, "Work, work, work, work, work," immediately sparking widespread discussion.
Today, wearing her signature blue jacket, she attended the awards ceremony and said in her speech, "Hello everyone, I am Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan. Thank you very much for receiving the Grand Prize." This is the first time a sitting Japanese prime minister has won the Grand Prize since then-Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama won it in 2009 for "change of government." The reason for the selection was that "such a powerful expression, rarely seen in recent years, shocked the business community committed to reforming work methods," and that "although it sparked controversy, it likely resonated with many from the Showa era who felt 'this is how work should be.'"
Regarding the focus on the words used to express her determination, Takaichi stated, "That sentence caused both positive and negative opinions. At the time, I was in a position where I might become the manager of Japan, so I said it."
She explained, "I just wanted to express that I wanted to work hard and contribute to the people; I absolutely did not mean to encourage overwork. I hope everyone doesn't misunderstand."
When asked why she emphasized "work" five times when "important things are usually emphasized three times," Takaichi laughed and said, "It was just because of the atmosphere at the time; there was no special meaning."
Takaichi Sanae's wholehearted dedication to work has garnered support from some, but others worry that it contradicts the current call for reforming work methods and emphasizing efficiency over working hours, potentially triggering polarized reactions in Japanese society.
After being elected president, Sanae Takaichi faced the withdrawal of the Komeito Party from the coalition government. Upon assuming the premiership, she immediately welcomed US President Trump's visit to Japan, attended the APEC summit in South Korea, and met with Xi Jinping, keeping her extremely busy with diplomatic affairs. There were even concerns within the Liberal Democratic Party that she was "too thin."
Takaichi herself revealed during a parliamentary interpellation a month ago that she "sleeps about two hours, sometimes four, which isn't good for her skin." Therefore, both the ruling and opposition parties have advised Takaichi to "balance work and rest" and "take breaks when needed." It appears that her work pace has recently slowed down.
The top 10 words also include onomatopoeia for the running owl on social media, "Ehho Ehho"; "Maimai," the popular mascot of the Osaka Expo; "Trump tariffs" imposed by U.S. President Trump on various countries; "Kugukuk rice," the rice reserves released by the government to lower rice prices; "national treasures," which broke box office records for live-action films in Japan; and "emergency hunting rifle/bear attack," a term related to frequent bear attacks in various regions.
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