Interest
Kill la Kill Animator Apologizes After Supporting Nationalist Japanese Politician
posted on by Ken Iikura-Gross
Kill la Kill character designer and animator Toshio “Sushio” Ishizaki endorsed nationalist Japanese politician Uryū Hirano for her bid for Japan's upper legislative house in a now deleted X (formerly Twitter) post on July 5. “My current favorite is Uryū Hirano. Her name and way of life are just so cool,” Sushio posted. “I can't help but support someone who is prepared to devote her life to this extent. A passionate spirit is the same no matter what stage it's on.” His post linked to a July 3 public rally held by Hirano at Shinjuku Station's South Exit.
Several posters on X/Twitter were critical and disheartened by Sushio's endorsement of Hirano, specifically describing her being xenophobic. The comments on the aggregator sites Yaraon and Hachima Kikō about Sushio's post were starkly in favor of Sushio and Hirano, although they are not necessarily representative of the overall Japanese public. (Hirano is officially an independent candidate, but a party with similar but not identical nationalist positions, Sanseitō, has a 4.2% approval rating in a national NHK poll conducted on July 4-6.) A cursory look at the comments revealed several commenters making nationalist remarks or disparaging those on the left, saying foreign nationals should not be allowed in Japan or are parasites or trash. Although a minority, there were voices critical of Sushio, Hirano, and other commenters.
Sushio subsequently released an apology to his X/Twitter account on July 9. His statement reads:
To everyone who was offended by Sushio's comments,
I had a long and detailed conversation, the first such in a long while, with Trigger producer Tsumiko.
At first, Sushio had no idea what was wrong.
After listening to Tsumiko, I was reminded of the parts of myself I had not imagined and the parts that were no good. And although I reflected on my actions, I still did not feel like apologizing.
However, Tsumiko continued talking without being annoyed by Sushio and said, "I don't want you to be misunderstood as an awful person because of what you reposted! It'd be awful if fans who loved you were hurt by the repost because of a misunderstanding!" That was the moment I thought, "Ahh!"
When I saw the expressions on the faces of attendees at the Trigger events in Japan and at anime events overseas, I thought if this kind of feeling could be contagious the world might be a better place. And even if it's not something big, I thought if we took action to spread excitement and smiles to the people around us, maybe good feelings could spread.
When I remembered that I realized I had somehow forgotten what I valued the most in drawing, and as a result had hurt many people and made them sad.
I remembered it takes the collaboration of many people for us to watch anime.
I took a break from anime for about seven months after I injured my shoulder, so maybe it's because I had fewer opportunities to draw while thinking about all the people who love the anime I'm involved in.
It made me realize anime isn't something you make for your own satisfaction. And since then I've been able to draw amazingly good art, all thanks to everyone's smiling faces...
I'm sorry to those who felt uncomfortable, those who supported me, and those who felt betrayed.
You might not be able to feel the same as before again. But I think the only way to do this is through my future deeds.
I'd be happy if you could look at Sushio's art again.
You might think, "How can you tell if I've changed from that?" But Sushio's drawings are packed with the feelings I had when I drew them, so you might be able to sense some kind of change.
If there comes a moment when you feel something and start to like Sushio's work again, I would be happy if you would come and tell me that you love my art.
I am sorry for the trouble I have caused.
Sushio
As of press time Sushio's statement received over 150 comments, over 1,400 reposts, and over 3,000 likes. The comments are mixed, with some accepting it and a majority critical of it. One English commenter noted they were inspired by artists like Sushio but are saddened by his support of Hirano. Another English commenter is far more direct, saying, “Go back to drawing cause you clearly use too many words to say absolutely nothing.” Still another English commenter points out talent from foreign countries is essential for the anime industry and for Sushio to “Do better.”
Hirano is currently running as an unaligned politician for the Japanese House of Councilors in the Tokyo District. The election is set to take place on July 20. Hirano has voiced strong opposition to the People's Republic of China (PRC). Her greeting on her Uryū-kai website claims Japan will be “destroyed” by the PRC if the status quo is maintained. Her full statement reads:
Our homeland, Japan, is now at a critical crossroads. China has grown rapidly and is now exerting an overwhelming presence in economic, military and technological fields and is even extending its interference into our country's sovereignty and security. Territorial violations, information warfare, and economic dependence - "peace" is no longer anything but an illusion.
If things continue like this the very structure of Japan as a nation will be destroyed. We, the Uryū-kai, believe now is the time to rebuild our true national power and create a "strong Japan that will not lose to China." We aim to revitalize our nation based on the pillars of strengthening our national defense capabilities, achieving food and energy independence, reviving our economy and technology, and revitalizing education to restore pride in being Japanese.
Let us raise our voices together and stand up so we can proudly pass on our homeland to the next generation.
Hirano's platform reflects an anti-PRC sentiment. Among her six platform positions, four deal with those of PRC nationality — specifically, strengthening restrictions on their visas, limiting land purchases, making Japanese naturalization requirements stricter, and stricter screening for business manager visas. She also calls for a mandatory retirement age for Japanese legislative members and enactment of anti-espionage laws (against other countries' agencies but specifically citing PRC's) in her platform.
Videos posted to Hirono's YouTube channel also reflect her anti-PRC sentiment. Several videos, including videos, shorts, and livestreams, feature the politician speaking out against PRC nationals. One of note is a February 14 video titled “A Threat to Japan's Sovereignty? Chinese Aiming to Become Lawmaker in Japan!” The just over 10-minute video shows Hirano arguing against her perceived ease for foreign nationals to become naturalized citizens and naturalized citizens running for political office, particularly those who were PRC nationals.
Roughly midway through the video, Hirano states, “We can be friends with Chinese people, sure. But allowing them to become legislative members? That's a completely different matter. You can never trust Chinese people in such positions.” Soon after making these comments, Hirano continues, “I've avoided advocating for the revocation of naturalized citizens' eligibility to run for office because I thought it was discriminatory. However, now we're facing a situation where two candidates for the upcoming House of Councilors election were both born, raised, and educated in China.” Near the end of the video Hirano further claims, “The only Chinese people I could possibly trust are those who hate China and want to dismantle it.”
Sources: Sushio's X/Twitter account (link 2), NHK, Senkyo Dot Com, @hujimari's X/Twitter account via Posfie, @hhhaaatttoooppp's X/Twitter account, @e_suehiro YouTube channel, Uryū-kai's website, The Diplomat Magazine via Yaraon and Hachima Kikō
