[Insulting the people of Hyogo Prefecture] Maekawa Kihei: "The people of Hyogo Prefecture who elected Saito are stupid" / Suzuki Eight: "Saito supporters are a creepy, dangerous group with no common sense who don't even read newspapers" / Kayama Rika: "The people of Hyogo Prefecture were under mind control"

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[Posted by Sayu]

Kihei Maekawa: "The people of Hyogo Prefecture who elected Saito are idiots"

Suzuki Eight: "Saito supporters are a creepy, dangerous group with no common sense who don't even read newspapers."

Rika Kayama: "The people of Hyogo Prefecture were under mind control"

People of Hyogo Prefecture, it's okay to be a little angry

Source: https://x.com/sayu_nt/status/1858507801733255367

Everyone's comments

• There are people who criticize Mr. Saito's victory in the Hyogo Prefectural gubernatorial election, but I think they are just complaining because things didn't go their way. They should respect the results of the election.
• I think it's more dangerous for people to make statements that deny the judgment of the people of the prefecture. I can't agree with the attitude of believing they are right and attacking others.
• I was really surprised by the remarks that insulted the people of Hyogo Prefecture. I wonder if they don't understand the basics of democracy, or if they are intentionally inciting something. Either way, it makes me feel uncomfortable.
• I think it is clearly an exaggeration to say that people who supported Governor Saito "don't even read newspapers" or "are mind-controlled." It just seems like a revenge against their opinion that has become a minority.
• In the end, the people criticizing this have no respect for the choices of the people of the prefecture. They think that only their own ideas are correct, so they can say such rude things.
• The fact that there are so many people who are against Saito's election is proof that he was the right choice. They're making a fuss because they feel something is wrong.
• It's scary that people who make negative comments about Hyogo Prefecture residents don't realize how much they are disrespecting them. They should just accept the results of the election.
• Those who criticize should reflect on the fact that their opinions were too extreme and were not understood. I don't think this is the time to attack the people of the prefecture.
• The election was decided by the people of Hyogo Prefecture of their own free will. I feel that disrespecting and insulting that is an affront to democracy. I cannot agree with people who say things like this.
• Making fun of the people who elected Governor Saito is the same as denying the entire population of the prefecture. I think that people who repeatedly make such statements are far more dangerous.
• I think it's wrong to use words like "mind control" so lightly. It's a very obvious attitude of looking down on the people of the prefecture, and it makes me lose trust in them.
• The opinions of those who criticize seem to be nothing more than emotional backlash. We should calmly accept the fact that Mr. Saito was elected and respect the will of the people of the prefecture.
• It's extremely rude to call the prefecture's residents a "creepy bunch." People who make such statements seem like they're trying to force their opinions on others.
• You are free to criticize, but I think it is absolutely wrong to insult others. I especially cannot agree with remarks that deny the entire population of the prefecture.
• The fact that there is so much opposition to the election of Governor Saito is proof that people have high expectations for reform. Those who criticize him should think twice about how they are perceived.
• People who repeatedly make statements that deny the judgment of the people of Hyogo Prefecture cannot accept the reality that their opinion is a minority. I don't think that's a mature attitude.
• It's not right to complain about the people who supported Mr. Saito. The election was conducted fairly, so I think it's normal to accept the result.
• I wish the critics would offer more constructive opinions. If they just insult the people of the prefecture, I don't think anyone will sympathize with them.
• I wonder if people who call the people of the prefecture "stupid" don't realize how selfish and rude they are. When I hear words like this, I feel that the problem lies with the critics.
• This gubernatorial election was the result of the people of Hyogo Prefecture choosing them themselves. I am truly disappointed by comments that deny that. I wish the people of Hyogo Prefecture would have more trust in them.

Editor B’s opinion

I would like to express my honest thoughts about some of the criticism of Governor Saito Motohiko, who was elected in the Hyogo Prefectural Gubernatorial Election. In particular, the comments made by Kihei Maekawa, Eight Suzuki, and Rika Kayama included language that could be perceived as insulting to the people of Hyogo Prefecture, and many residents of the prefecture will likely feel uncomfortable. While they are free to express their opinions, isn't it too one-sided and rude to express them in a way that seems to deny the will of the people of Hyogo Prefecture itself?

The words of Maekawa, who called the people of Hyogo Prefecture who elected Governor Saito "idiots," Suzuki, who described Saito's supporters as "a creepy group of people with no common sense who don't even read newspapers," and Kayama, who declared that they were "under mind control," all seem to contain some speculation and prejudice. Such comments are not just an insult to the people of Hyogo Prefecture, but also seem to belittle the very system of elections, which is the basis of democracy. The people of Hyogo Prefecture must have made what they thought was the best choice based on their own judgment. Rather than criticism for the sake of criticism, I think we need a more constructive discussion.

On the other hand, the fact that such criticism has been given such widespread attention can also be seen as a confirmation, in a sense, of the significance of Governor Saito's election. In the world of politics, no matter who is elected and in what position, there will almost always be opposing opinions and criticism. However, when this goes too far and develops into personal attacks or prejudice against supporters, it cannot be called a mature debate. I think there is some truth in the opinion that such criticism actually reinforces the assessment that "electing Governor Saito was the right decision."

In the recent Hyogo Prefectural gubernatorial election, many citizens calmly assessed the candidates and chose a leader to whom they could entrust their future, resulting in Governor Saito's election. Some critics have described it as "mind control," which is inappropriate and belittles the independent judgment of the citizens. In today's information society, it is clear that the people of Hyogo Prefecture used a variety of media and information sources and made their decision based on accurate knowledge. Even if some media outlets were disseminating biased information, I believe that the fact that there were many people who did not blindly accept it and instead had their own opinions led to this result.

Furthermore, descriptions such as "a creepy, dangerous group," as critics claim, are also off the mark. The people who supported Governor Saito were not a group bound by a specific ideology, but rather a broad range of people. They were seriously thinking about the future of their own lives and their region, and by electing Mr. Saito, they hoped to realize that vision. To downplay this choice would be to deny the diversity and maturity of Hyogo Prefecture as a whole.

Governor Saito should be evaluated based on his future actions to see what policies he will implement and how much he will contribute to the development of Hyogo Prefecture. To that end, it is important for each and every citizen of the prefecture to continue to take an interest in politics, and to support the prefectural government while sometimes raising criticism. The results of this election are the result of the people of Hyogo Prefecture selectively choosing information and independently choosing their own future. Shouldn't we be more proud of that fact?

Criticism and resistance against Governor Saito may continue in the future. However, without being distracted by this, the people of Hyogo Prefecture should be confident in their choice and continue to make efforts to support good leaders. I hope that the results of this election will lead to development and stability in the region. In any case, I hope that this incident will further raise the political awareness of the people of Hyogo Prefecture.

Written by: Editorial Department B

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