Current location:business >>
VOX POPULI: Unlike Taylor Swift, few stars in Japan speak out about politics
business729People have gathered around
IntroductionWhen I visited the United States on business years ago, I turned the TV on in my hotel room to find ...
When I visited the United States on business years ago, I turned the TV on in my hotel room to find popular actor George Clooney on the screen.
I vividly remember him saying to the effect, “According to the education we’ve received, criticizing the government is something like a duty of American citizens.”
It was a talk show in which celebrities answered questions from viewers.
Regarding film stars engaging in political activism, Clooney noted with complete equanimity, “Why not?”
His reaction made me feel the robustness of democracy in America.
But making political statements is obviously never a simple matter for anyone who is famous.
In fact, pop singer Taylor Swift, whose recent comments about this year’s presidential election have attracted considerable attention, has admitted in her own documentary film and elsewhere that she had agonized over whether to speak out or not.
Ever since she debuted at age 16, Swift said, she was constantly warned about “talking politics and inconveniencing other people.”
But six years ago, she’d finally had enough and publicly criticized a Republican presidential candidate.
This exposed her to ruthless online slander and bashing, but it also freed her, she recalled, as if a muzzle had come off.
It is pointed out that when an influential superstar publicly voices support for a specific politician, this creates a tricky--or even dangerous--situation.
Big-name celebrities are invariably super rich and some people worry that their political endorsements will benefit only the wealthy.
But surely that shouldn’t mean all A-listers must remain silent.
In contrast, how few prominent stars there are in Japan who openly discuss politics.
Swift said to the effect that she will continue to act, having realized it is her responsibility to take advantage of her power of influence and challenge disgustingly cheap policy pledges that are nothing but lip service.
I am bedazzled by her words.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 19
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Circle news portal”。http://slovakia.lexingtonfairness.org/article-86a199904.html
Related articles
I know who killed Jill Dando, says her Crimewatch co
businessNick Ross has said he knows who killed Jill Dando on the 25th anniversary of his Crimewatch co-prese ...
【business】
Read moreNew railway set to bolster connectivity, development
businessA railway linking the picturesque cities of Lijiang and Shangri-La in Southwest China's Yunnan provi ...
【business】
Read moreXi Meets Mauritanian President
businessContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
【business】
Read more
Popular articles
- Sri Lanka expresses hope to join BRICS+
- Highlights of women's artistic gymnastics qualification at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
- Highlights of women's artistic gymnastics qualification at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
- Fiji pins growth hopes on Chinese tourists, plans direct flights from HK
- 3 dead, 4 missing in explosion at Italy power station
- Xi Makes Instructions on China's First National Ecology Day
Latest articles
China to hold first space cooperation forum with LatAm, Caribbean countries
Chinese swimmer Wang wins men's 200m IM at Tokyo Olympics
Chinese swimmer Wang wins men's 200m IM at Tokyo Olympics
1.334 bln people covered by China's basic medical insurance
Syrian, Russian forces destroy 'terrorist' strongholds in N. Syria
Xi Meets Guyanese President
LINKS
- Pakistan and Iran vow to enhance efforts at a 'united front' against Afghanistan
- Queen Letizia of Spain shines in a smart tweed dress as she joins King Felipe in Madrid
- Is Roblox safe for kids? Father
- More than 1 in 4 US adults over age 50 say they expect to never retire, an AARP study finds
- What it's REALLY like to win the Lottery... by a couple who banked £2.2m
- Olympic tennis champion Belinda Bencic announces the birth of her daughter
- Rodgers' grand slam sparks Rockies over Padres 7
- Catch the slingshot
- Former Labour minister Frank Field dies from cancer aged 81: Tributes pour in for 'formidable' ex
- Queen Maxima of the Netherlands braves the wind in a very eye