Nobuko Nakano sparks controversy with comments on PM Takaichi

During a live broadcast of the Nippon TV program ‘News to’ on October 15, neuroscientist Nobuko Nakano sparked significant controversy with comments regarding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. While discussing the Prime Minister’s perceived lack of political connections, Nakano suggested that because women cannot engage in the same ‘nighttime drinking’ networks as men, they are left with ‘nothing but sexual favors’ (性接待ぐらいしかない) as a means of building rapport.

Following the remark, the studio atmosphere reportedly became tense. Program MC Chiaki Kuroki immediately attempted to refute the statement, saying, ‘No, I don’t think that’s the case,’ while fellow guest Kenji Minemura also dismissed the logic, noting that gender is irrelevant to the Prime Minister’s policy-focused approach to selecting ministers.

The comments triggered a massive backlash on social media, with many viewers labeling the remarks as ‘sexist’ and a ‘broadcast accident.’ Critics argued that the comments reinforced harmful stereotypes about female politicians and diminished the Prime Minister’s professional capabilities by reducing her political standing to gender-based sexual roles.