“Today Is Astro Boy’s Birthday”: Prime Minister Ishiba Responds to Question in Diet, “Osamu Tezuka Was Quite Insightful”

“Today is Astro Boy’s birthday.” During the House of Councillors’ Budget Committee meeting on the 7th, when asking about Japan’s response to “Trump tariffs” announced by U.S. President Trump that have caused global confusion, Constitutional Democratic Party member Takashi Koga (65) reminded fellow baby-boomer Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (68) of this iconic manga anniversary while questioning Japan’s future role.

The serialization of “Astro Boy” began in the monthly magazine “Shonen” on April 7, 1952, which is why this day is known as “Astro Boy’s birthday.” After questioning about a series of Trump tariffs, including the 24% reciprocal tariff imposed on Japan, Koga noted toward the end of his allotted time: “Coincidentally, today, April 7, is Astro Boy’s birthday—Prime Minister and I are from the same generation. Today marks his 22nd birthday in the story setting. Since he’s a robot, I suppose that’s how it works.” Prime Minister Ishiba, who is knowledgeable about Japanese anime and manga, appeared surprised, his eyes widening when he heard this.

Koga continued, “Is the 21st century that we dreamed of in the Showa era, when we were boys, actually being realized in Japan and the world today?” He then asked, “As Japan’s leader and as a world leader, do you have the resolve to find a way to negotiate with the United States through G7 and WTO meetings?”

Prime Minister Ishiba, unusually hesitant, responded, “22, is it…? I-I see,” and continued, “I was also born in the early Showa 30s (1955-1960). Astro Boy had many episodes depicting the sadness of robots, things we need to consider going forward… Osamu Tezuka was quite insightful, I realize now.”

He added, “What should Japan accomplish in the 21st century world? America sometimes tends to become inward-looking. How should Japan engage in dialogue with them to jointly fulfill our roles for the world? While understanding from Europe, ASEAN, and African nations is also necessary, as Japan, we want to work toward sharing a vision of what kind of world we aim for in the 21st century.”

In closing, he stated, “What Japan aims to be—a fair country, a just country—I hope we can play a role in spreading these values globally without becoming self-righteous.”