"Beyond Discomfort—It's Enough to Make You Sick"...Criticism Mounts Over Prime Minister Takaichi's 260 Million Yen Necklace

Controversy Over Attending Awards Ceremony Amid Parliamentary Deadlock

Criticism Mounts: "The Prime Minister Belongs in the Diet"

Pent-Up Discontent Erupts Amid Rising Prices and Weak Yen

On the 4th, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, wearing jewelry and smiling brightly, at the 37th Japan Jewelry Best Dresser Awards held in Tokyo. X Capture

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who had maintained a robust approval rating of around 60% for nine months since taking office, has found herself embroiled in an unexpected "jewelry controversy." As the National Diet remains at an impasse due to conflict between the ruling and opposition parties, the release of images showing her attending an awards ceremony wearing expensive jewelry has sparked criticism over her "inappropriate conduct." In particular, public frustration—exacerbated by high inflation and a weak yen—appears to have erupted all at once over this incident.

Wearing 26 Million Yen Worth of Jewelry at the Awards Ceremony

According to Toyo Keizai Online and other Japanese media outlets on July 7, Prime Minister Takaichi attended the "37th Japan Jewelry Best Dresser Awards" held in Tokyo on July 4, becoming the first sitting prime minister to receive a special award at the event.

On that day, Prime Minister Takaichi wore pearl and diamond jewelry totaling 26 million yen (approximately 24 million won), and stated, "I will strive to ensure that the Japanese people feel as bright about the future of Japan as the shine of this jewelry."

On the 4th, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (center), wearing jewelry and smiling brightly, at the "37th Japan Jewelry Best Dresser Awards" held in Tokyo. X Capture

However, the jewelry in question was loaned from a Japanese company exclusively for the day of the event and was returned after the ceremony ended. In reality, only a certificate and a trophy were presented to the prime minister.

"The Prime Minister Belongs in the National Diet, Not on the Stage"... Widespread Criticism

Nevertheless, after news of the award broke, criticism quickly spread on local social media and in online news comment sections. The controversy mainly centered not on the jewelry itself, but on the timing of her attendance.

At the time, the Japanese political scene was effectively at a standstill, with legislative deliberations halted due to partisan conflict. Prime Minister Takaichi, facing allegations related to her close aides, had chosen to respond in writing instead of appearing before the National Diet in person, provoking backlash from the opposition.

Japanese National Diet. EPA Yonhap News

As a result, many voiced concerns such as "The National Diet has come to a halt, yet the Prime Minister is attending an awards ceremony" and "The Prime Minister belongs in the National Diet." Media analysis of the comments revealed that the most resonant criticism was about "misplaced priorities." One user wrote, "While the National Diet is gridlocked and the Prime Minister is avoiding focused deliberations to clear up allegations, she is seen smiling brightly at a glamorous jewelry awards ceremony," adding, "It's not just unpleasant; it's sickening."

Despite a 60% Approval Rating... Pent-Up Discontent Erupts

What stands out is that this controversy is occurring even as Takaichi enjoys high approval ratings. According to a compilation of polls by eight major Japanese media outlets, Prime Minister Takaichi's average approval rating is about 60%, the highest for any prime minister at the nine-month mark—a level neither Junichiro Koizumi nor Shinzo Abe achieved.

Nonetheless, some analysts point out that this incident has triggered the release of pent-up dissatisfaction with economic policy and overall governance in online public opinion. Some users criticized, "Prices are rising and the yen is weakening, but the government has no effective measures," and "Foreign capital is swallowing up assets."

Currently, Prime Minister Takaichi continues to maintain a stable support base, but if the National Diet deadlock continues, her political burden could grow. Takaichi has said she even skipped the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit due to legislative deliberations, adjusting her schedule accordingly. In the House of Councillors, some bill reviews have resumed, indicating efforts to restore order.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.