TOKYO (Realist English). Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of Japan’s small opposition Democratic Party for the People, issued a public apology on Wednesday after remarks he made about female voters were widely condemned as misogynistic on social media.
Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday, Tamaki was asked why his party struggles to attract support from women. Responding in English, he said:
“I think our policy is good not only for men but also women… but I think it’s very difficult to understand for them.”
The comment quickly drew criticism online, with many users accusing the Harvard-educated former Finance Ministry official of condescension and gender bias.
On Wednesday, Tamaki posted an apology on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“I regret that I used a poor expression. I am truly sorry. I had no intention of being misogynistic.”
Tamaki’s party has promoted economic measures focused on raising disposable income, and has gained modest traction among male workers. However, recent media polls continue to show lower support among women, an issue that has remained a challenge for the centrist faction.
This is not the first time Tamaki has faced criticism for his rhetoric. In May, he sparked backlash after describing the government’s rice stockpiles as “animal feed in a year,” a comment that was seen as dismissive of agricultural policy concerns.
While Tamaki’s apology may limit immediate fallout, the broader issue remains: Japan’s political establishment continues to struggle with gender-sensitive communication. For a party seeking broader appeal, especially among underrepresented groups, rhetorical missteps risk undermining policy efforts — regardless of intent.
