HARDtalk Taro Kono – Minister for Digital Transformation, Japan

Stephen Sackur speaks to Taro Kono, a senior minister in the Japanese government wrestling with massive problems. This erstwhile economic powerhouse has long been stuck with low growth, massive debt and an ageing, declining population. Can Japan reboot itself for the 21st century?

Broadcast on BBC News Channel on 25 July 2024

[Miki-hnnh]

Wow wow wow, wow indeeed
As a Japanese, it’s gonna be a great nightmare to have him as a prime minister of Japan.
He is just saying shits with huge confidence.

I’m overwhelmed with his such lies, illogical opinions…..

Speechless, , , unbelievable
NHK (Japanese national broadcaster) sadly doesn’t have journalism spirits…

[vjust]

Kono is a politician who is constantly making mistakes and is disliked by many Japanese. Yet, he is considered one of the candidates for the next prime minister because of the bad system of hereditary succession that exists in Japan. Both Kishida and Abe, as well as Kono, have parents who were influential politicians.

[mbb]

This politician’s attitude shows why Japanese economy is on the decline.

[Yuka-tgmj]

To be honest, he is just talking gibberish. L.D.P is the worst political group existing in
Japan. They are just elected due to under-the-table connections.

[mampoppy]

First of all, Mr.Kono didn't seem to understand the meaning of the questions well. Around 2:00, when the interviewer asked “ back on track?”, he should have presented truths or statistics that prove the economy being back on track. It is so shameful he is one of the best English speaking ministers even this much of English. He said 'My Number Card' is successful, but it's not true. The most worrisome issue is that various fraud cases using My Number Card or stealing individual information from them is increasing. Mr.Kono's comments here are far from trustworthy.

[katsumiabe]

hello world.look at him.this is how we are.
assuming how terrible his answer is shows you the whole level of japanese society.

Kono denies this interviewer's insights a lot and describes as if there's zero problem in japan.
totally NO.
just hope no one would misunderstand from what he says.

[kenmogibrainworld]

Stephen Sackur did his job, excellently as usual, and Taro Kono did his best to present his case as a minister of the government of Japan. I do feel that we need to have hard talk like this in the Japanese media as something of routine. In my opinion, it is the problem of the legacy media rather than the politicians themselves that Japan has come to this sad state of affairs. There is a general lack of critical assessment of the status quo, with Japanese journalists failing to put these hard but fair questions to politicians. Probably the NHK should start a program like HARDtalk.

[Yuka-tgmj]

15:35 He is saying that Japan's government will force citizens to work until old age. He is clearly not considering Japanese people's happiness. Just trying to exploit us.

[janesmith]

BBC, you should directly interview Japanese citizens about their opinions on the My Number Card system.
I'm sure you'll find some interesting opinions.
He's a "bright spark" in a bad way.

[泥中之蓮]

He is a big talker. However, that's just it.

[comori-tai]

He is Japanese comedian.
He did not know what he said😂😂

[tamanew]

河野太郎を信じてはいけない。
何を隠しているのか、真意は何か見極めるべき。

[keijik.]

I'm japanese. He lies like a rug without any remorse or hesitation.

[marioodzuki]

Kono says a lot but without a lot of information, typical diplomatic language.

[vox_populi]

Questions are superficial, answers are even more superficial. And although this is an interview by BBC News, I suppose this interview will never draw attention of internatiional audience.

[MrEntrance]

I wish we had a guy like this who can interview straightforwardly and critically.

[kurupan]

He doesn't listen to others because he believes he is always right.

[kanagawakawasaki]

Most LDP politicians have two faces showing different their attitudes therefore current government is taking exactly the same. For example my case, my X(twitter) account has been banned by order of the government. They don’t want to see or hear about criticism from citizens of Japan.

[brewedawakening]

Kono repeatedly responds with “you don’t have to worry about it” with extremely weak or sometimes self-contradictory arguments. He doesn’t seem to know the truth behind our horribly corrupt political and economic structures.
Japan would have been far better off if we had the media with this sense of critical and balanced thinking to face what is and isn’t just in our society. I admire BBC in that regard.
We can’t leave it as a joke or parody of some sort but I felt as if I was watching a horror movie which depicts some androids with no compassion whatsoever ruling the world. Or worse yet, elementary schoolers running a country having fun without realizing the unamendable harm they are causing. Anyway I am speechless 😢

[Mizuyah]

This guy just seems to be attacking other countries as a way to deflect from answering the questions.