Politics · Japan · 5 hrs ago
Commentator's remarks on Takaichi draw on-air pushback
Neuroscientist Nobuko Nakano made a controversial claim on a live Japanese TV show on October 15.
During a discussion about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's choice of ministers, Nakano said women could not use political networking opportunities because they were almost like sexual favors.
Host Chiaki Kuroki immediately disputed the claim, saying she did not think that was true.
Fellow commentator Kenji Minemura also said gender was not relevant, and argued that Takaichi had chosen ministers based on policy.
The exchange concerned how Takaichi builds political ties and whether informal, after-hours networks exclude women.
The program, News to, began on October 5 as the successor to the long-running show Miyane-ya.
The remarks drew criticism on social media, though the available coverage gives no figures or detailed account of the response.
No further action or response from Nakano is reported.
Neuroscientist Nobuko Nakano said on the new Japanese television programme “News to” that women cannot use political networking settings because they are “almost like sexual hospitality.”
Presenter Chiaki Kuroki immediately objected, saying, “I don’t think that’s the case.”
Fellow commentator Kenji Minemura also challenged Nakano’s claim that gender was a factor.
The discussion concerned Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s choices for her cabinet.
The remarks were made during a live broadcast on 15 October and drew attention on social media.
- Who
- Neuroscientist and commentator Nobuko Nakano made the remarks; presenter Chiaki Kuroki and commentator Kenji Minemura pushed back.
- What
- Nakano said women could not use political networking settings because they were “almost like sexual hospitality.
- When
- 15 October 2026.
- Where
- On the live Japanese television programme “News to,” broadcast by Nippon TV and produced by Yomiuri TV.
- Why
- The discussion concerned Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet selections; Nakano linked women’s access to political networking with gender.
Nakano's view
Kuroki and Minemura's view
Gender and political networking
Nakano's view
Nakano said women cannot use the platform of political networking in settings that are “almost like sexual hospitality.
Kuroki and Minemura's view
Kuroki said she did not think that was the case, and Minemura said gender was not relevant.
Takaichi's cabinet choices
Nakano's view
Nakano raised the question of whether Takaichi would have had more political connections if she were not a woman.
Kuroki and Minemura's view
Minemura said Takaichi selected people through a questionnaire focused on policy rather than personal relationships.
Nakano made her remarks during a live “News to” discussion about Takaichi’s cabinet selections.
Kuroki objected, and Minemura said gender was not relevant and discussed Takaichi’s use of a questionnaire to select cabinet members.
- Programme
- News to
- Broadcast
- Nippon TV; produced by Yomiuri TV
- Commentator
- Nobuko Nakano, a neuroscientist
- Presenter
- Chiaki Kuroki
- Date
- 15 October 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
Women can’t use that platform. It’s almost like sexual hospitality.
I don’t think that’s the case.
I don’t think gender is relevant there.