If the Japan Restoration Party — headed by Toru Hashimoto, the mayor of Osaka, and former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara — needs a new political slogan, the proverb Kuchi ga wazawai no moto (The mouth is the source of great trouble) would do nicely.
Both leaders have a habit of making offensive statements that attract attention and disdain — and generate long press conferences.
Ishihara, now 80, is best known for remarks that offended women, foreigners and minorities — such as 2001's, "It's useless and a crime for women to go on living after they (get old and) lose the ability to breed children."
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.