Two works by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Aso to be published prior to the elections

Gentosha and Shinchosha each will release one work authored by Foreign Minister Taro Aso at approximately the same time. Foreign Minister Aso had vied against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for the Prime Minister's position and is considered to be the most promising candidate to become next Prime Minister.

First up will be Gentosha with the release of "The Arc of Freedom and Prosperity" on June 5. This book is a compilation of the numerous quotes made by Mr. Aso ever since he took office as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2005 and had begun to express his vision of Japan's foreign policy. The editor in charge of the book at Gentosha comments that the book is noteworthy for its extensive coverage of a wide array of topics, ranging from the value of diplomacy, security issues, the Yasukuni problem, America, and China to pop and otaku (geek) cultures. The editor adds, "the book is filled with answers to questions like 'How should Japanese people lead their lives?' and 'Where is Japan headed?'"

Meanwhile, Shinchosha will release "Incredible Japan" on June 8. The first edition is expected to see a print run of 30,000, which will exceed the figure for the million-seller, "National Dignity."

National Dignity was the first full-fledged work from Mr. Aso in which he expressed his personal views upfront. Specifically, he addressed the problems besieging Japan, including the stratification of society, the declining birth rate, the aging of society, and diplomatic relations with Asian countries, and appealed to the Japanese public feeling negative about these issues that "Japan is a country with incredible potential, so let's be more positive."
Conveying his avid interest in sub-cultural phenomena such as comics, the book has won approval from the young generation and makes the most of Mr. Aso's tone of voice, which brims with his distinctive and accessible humor.


*Some of the book titles are tentative translations.
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