Prime Minister Taro Aso shops on Sunday.
POOL PHOTO

Aso buys books on diplomacy, but no comics

Monday 01st December, 11:05 AM JST

TOKYO —

Prime Minister Taro Aso, 68, popped in to a large-scale bookstore near Tokyo station on Sunday, and bought a handful of books on international politics and diplomacy. Aso spent about half an hour in the store with his secretary, stopping to look at books on finance, history, politics and new books, and greeted some female customers along the way.

Aso, who is famous for his love of comics, picked up a copy of a comic about the life of Kanetsugu Naoe, a military commander in the years leading up to the beginning of the Edo period, but put it down and lined up at the counter where he paid for the books with a 10,000 yen bill, and also bought a wiping cloth for his glasses.

Wire reports

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Latest 15 of 33 Total Comments Show All

memyselfI at 03:29 PM JST - 1st December

This is fodder for the media. Maybe this story is supposed to be funny.
thepro at 03:35 PM JST - 1st December

How does Japan actually stay afloat?
apecNetworks at 04:06 PM JST - 1st December

PM Aso needs to know one thing when brushing up on international affairs and diplomacy - no matter how many books he reads, he will still need a world class analyst w/ a proven track record as a soundboard for his initiatives. A world class analyst who deals w/ present day conditions. There may be one in Todai or Kyoto.
Simon_Foston at 04:30 PM JST - 1st December

As for the diplomacy books, everyone knows it's just for show because Aso won't be able to read any of the kanji in them.
Cortasaurus at 04:30 PM JST - 1st December

How is this news? Who needs a secretary to pick out books. I could do that job.. how much does she get paid lol. And how comforting.. a PM buying books about politics...
zurcronium at 04:42 PM JST - 1st December

Did he pick up Abe's book about a Beautiful Japan?
gogogo at 05:12 PM JST - 1st December

Just saw the photo, he's standing there like a hick with a toothpick is his mouth, he's the face of Japan and looks like a blue color know it all.
Azrael at 07:07 PM JST - 1st December

This article is disconcerting. It sounds like a stalking report - what's the exact importance of knowing the PM of Japan bought a scrap of cloth to wipe his eyeglasses and left a manga book at the counter? I guess the 1-man yen note was kind of mandatory (but yes, it's a good idea not to promote credit card use when the country is at recession). Notice how these three items were carefully identified while the title of the books remains anonymous.

I can only guess the reporter is young and eager to inform the public, but cannot discern which things are important to inform yet. Good luck - you'll improve in time.
romulus3 at 08:15 PM JST - 1st December

wow, some new editions to his bookcase but what about his "sweet valley high" collection.
Triumvere at 09:51 PM JST - 1st December

A little late, don't you think?
nidu at 10:04 PM JST - 1st December

lined up at the counter

yeah, wait for your turn. Very unusual for a prime minister.
BurakuminDes at 10:17 PM JST - 1st December

Headline should have read: "Aso burns books on diplomacy"
930148mike at 12:00 AM JST - 2nd December

The news item about Prime Minister Aso's reading misses the essential point. Mr Aso is now between a rock and a hard place, with popular support for him and his Cabinet plummeting and members of his own Party hinting at large scale defections unless a Lower House Election is called, possibly early in the New Year. Mr Aso, in spite of what he might read, is faced with a stark choice - heed what many voters are saying and call a snap poll, or, risk the fragmentation of the now severely-divided LDP into new, smaller parties. Diplomacy is important, but practicality lies closer to home.
JohnBecker at 02:18 AM JST - 2nd December

At least the guy's getting the books.
Progression at 06:10 AM JST - 5th December

You wanna know what funny. He literally lives 1 minute away from my house. And its annoying as hell having me and friends checked by police all the bloody time. Trust me even our Japanese Neighbors hate him for having not moved out yet from such a residential area and causing constantly trouble.