On July 4th, Taro Aso, the vice president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, gives a campaign speech in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture. Ayako Nakada Taro Aso, the vice president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is facing a backlash after suggesting in a campaign stump speech that bullying victims have only themselves to blame.
A former prime minister who made offensive, off-the cuff comments, Aso made a statement when promoting his party's national security policy ahead of the July 10 Upper House election.
On July 4, he said that of those who are bullied in their childhood - they are the weak, on the streets of Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture. The strong are not bullied. The same goes for countries. Those who appear strong are not targeted, but the weak are. Aso said that deterrence only works for a country once others believe that it will likely strike back when attacked.
In its campaign platform, the LDP pledged to beef up Japan's defense capabilities by allowing the country to possess the capability to strike an enemy base about to launch a missile against Japan.
Opposition parties are lashing out over Aso's comments.
Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, who is also the deputy head of Nippon Ishin no Kai Japan Innovation Party, said on July 5 that some attribute bullying to victims but I believe bullies should be held accountable. Bullying is a separate issue from national defense. Akira Koike, the head of the Japanese Communist Party's secretariat, called it a moral failure.
He doesn't have a moral standard: Never tolerate bullying. He is utterly insensitive to those who are suffering from bullying. Education Minister Shinsuke Suematsu said he could not comment on Aso's remark unless he clarifies what he really meant at a July 5 news conference.
I don't think we can make such an assumption about bullying, Suematsu said.
Social media users are criticizing Aso for suggesting that bullying only occurs because the victims are weak.
Midori Komori, a board member of the Anti-bullying nonprofit organization Gentle Heart Project, lost her daughter to suicide due to bullying.
Komori said his remark is divisive and violates human rights because he assumes that people's strength determines whether they will be bullied. She said Aso is victim blaming and expressed concern that his remark would mislead people about what bullying stems from.
Komori said that her daughter told her four days before taking her own life that what people should cherish most is a kind heart, which made her realize the importance of working together to address the problems that lead to bullying.
Komori wants politicians to set up an organization that compiles anti-bullying measures and fosters training for teachers on bullying.