Can Conservative Regression Be Discussed Through Performance⁉️—Scrutinize the Candidates' National Vision and Strategic Moves

🟥Introduction: Can Conservative Regression Be Discussed Through "Staging"?

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi dined with former Nippon Ishin no Kai leader Baba, and Shinjiro Koizumi exchanged mutual praise with Governor Yoshimura at the Expo site—both are performances of relationships ahead of the LDP presidential election, but only the "fact" of the meetings was discussed, and the substance of their policies remains invisible.

Meanwhile, Taro Aso held a meeting with Sanseito leader Kamiya with the press present. This functioned as a symbolic message to the conservative base.

This contrast shows that the essence of conservative regression is being questioned in the "way of speaking"—what the candidates say and what they choose not to say.

🟥Chapter 1: Is Approaching Ishin Just an "Easy Way Out"?

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi dined with former leader Baba, and Shinjiro Koizumi exchanged mutual praise with Governor Yoshimura at the Expo site—both are moves to stage relationships with Ishin, but only the fact that they "met" was discussed. The substance of their policies and their national visions are not visible from the reports.

Ishin is a party with mobility and strong communication skills, and one could say they are an "easy" partner to show the possibility of a coalition. However, if one is to advocate for conservative regression, the alignment of national visions and philosophies is the essence, and staging alone will not win the trust of voters.

Mr. Hayashi is a clever adjuster, and Mr. Koizumi is a performer skilled at communication—but both have little track record of clearly articulating a national vision. Mr. Koizumi's stance of remaining silent on Yasukuni Shrine visits is an example of symbolic "politics of not speaking."

What the conservative base is looking for is not staging, but the resolve to say what needs to be said.

🟥Chapter 2: Aso's Deep Strategy—The Strategy of "Showing" the Symbol of Conservatism

Taro Aso's meeting with Sanseito leader Kamiya with the press present is not merely a collaboration, but functions as a symbolic message to the conservative base.
Not "teaming up," but "showing"—that difference is Aso's deep-seated strategy.

Sanseito is growing rapidly as a receptacle for conservative voters, and by "making people aware" of its existence, Mr. Aso is seen as intending to encourage conservative realignment within the LDP.
This is a strategy to "visualize" national vision and philosophy, in contrast to the private dinners with Ishin.

The movements of the conservative mainstream are on a different horizon from the performance-oriented candidates.
Mr. Aso's meeting symbolically demonstrated a stance of "saying what needs to be said" to the conservative base.

🟥Conclusion: The Limits of Performance Politics Without a National Vision

Ahead of the presidential election, candidates are scrambling to stage relationships. Dinners with Ishin, mutual praise at the Expo—these are nothing more than "politics of showing," not "politics of speaking."

However, if one is to talk about conservative regression, a national vision is necessary, not staging.
What have they said in the past, and on what philosophy have they stood—that is the phase being questioned.

Taro Aso's public meeting with Sanseito was a symbolic message to the conservative base.
On the other hand, the moves by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi and Shinjiro Koizumi look like "easy staging" that avoids articulating a national vision.

Mr. Koizumi's stance of remaining silent on Yasukuni Shrine visits is also a symbol of politics that does not say what needs to be said.
The conservative base is looking for philosophy, not staging.

The essence of the presidential election is not who speaks, but what is said.
Performance politics without a national vision cannot be a vessel for conservative regression.