The First Lady Steps Out (Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's wife)

Newsweek International ^ | Feb. 1, 2007 | Christian Caryl and Akiko Kashiwagi

[DTogo]

Feb. 5, 2007 issue - The White House has boasted its share of charismatic First Ladies; think Eleanor Roosevelt or Jackie Kennedy. But Japan has never seen the like—at least before last September, when Shinzo Abe became prime minister and unleashed his charming spouse on the nation. In previous eras, the main job of a political wife was to look pleasant and stay a respectful three steps behind her man. Trying out new flower arrangements was as edgy as it got. But Akie Abe is cut from a whole new cloth. She's got something to say and she's not afraid to say it—whether in a foreign language, in her own refined Japanese or on her blog. "I don't think I'm especially open," she said recently in an exclusive NEWSWEEK interview. "But because I'm a relatively young prime minister's wife, that has given me a lot of exposure in the media, so some people may see me like that."

[DTogo]

Newsweek can't decide which comparison fits best: Jackie-O, Hillary, or Laura. But they (and Akie Abe) seem to settle on Laura.

[DTogo]

Good to see the youngsters taking over from the geezers in Japanese politics, and Akie Abe being her own person!

Best wishes to Akie-san!

Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)

[goodnesswins]

"I think I should accept my fate, that I am the wife of a politician who became prime minister, and that we did not have the gift of bearing children," she wrote. As for adoption, she admitted, "I didn't have the confidence to raise a child."

I like her honesty and acceptance of her life.

[DTogo]

Yes, and given her circumstance I'd like to know how she feels about her husband's choice for Health Minister.

[ktw]

Add me to the Ping!!!

[Drammach]

[DTogo]

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) and his wife Akie arrive at Melsbroek military airport, near Brussels, January 11, 2007. Abe, who is on a two-day visit to Belgium, will meet Belgian and EU leaders and visit NATO. REUTERS/Yves Herman (BELGIUM)

[California Patriot]

This isn't interesting. Madame Abe isn't hot enough.

[AmericanInTokyo]

It is still a convenient surface "image"(hyomen dake)to paper over the underlying reality that the Japanese system by-and-large is still essentially rigged and run by the 'geezers'.

Newsweek was also very very wrong (in their predictions and biased, wholly subjective Western-based interpretations) on Masako Owada, who was to eventually become Princess Masako.

[DTogo]

True, there are still a lot of powerful, string-pulling geezers left in Japanese politics, but they don't live forever and slowly fading away. (Remember Kanemaru and his gold-filled safe?! HA!)

I'm not sure if comparing Masako to Akie is ringo-to-ringo as the PM is not "controlled" as is the Imperial Family.

[cubreporter]

Somehow seeing hillereees name in the middle of Jacqueline Kennedy and Laura Bush I liken to burlap between the finest of silks.