Days Abe has attracted much attention recently. After taking three days of summer vacation last week and being admitted to the hospital for one of the health checks, rumors about his health have become very common. Later, he reported to the hospital on the 24th day of continuous days, which attracted great attention. The opposition even questioned whether he could continue to serve as prime minister. US media believes that the reason why Abe is in poor health is entirely due to a tenacious fighting mentality called "gambaru" (stubborn Zhang る, meaning to grit his teeth and work hard to persevere).
CNN reported that the domino effect caused by Abe's rest for a few days in the heat wave highlights the Japanese's persistence in gambaru. The word is a concept that is almost intranslated, meaning to do your best and persevere through the most difficult times.
Abe walked into the Prime Minister's residence after going to the hospital on the 24th and said, "I will go back to work and try gambaru (continue to work hard)." Gambaru's mentality permeates the entire Japanese society. Japanese society believes that the pursuit of goals is more meaningful than the results.
65-year-old Abe worked for 147 consecutive days before taking a leave. When asked about this, Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga replied: "The Prime Minister insists that he should lead in his position."
Abe has long suffered from ulcerative colitis. Many people are worried that the stress brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and his health problems will eventually cause him to have health problems. This also reminds people of 2007, when Abe resigned suddenly on the grounds of health.
Akichi Nakano, a professor of political science at Uchichi University in Japan, said that the extensive media coverage of Abe's potential health problems and the long work before these problems have allowed Abe to publicize that he has persisted until his body cannot bear it. "In many ways, this is his most glorious way of stepping down."
Akichi Nakano also said that this will also allow Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party to avoid being criticized by the outside world that the prime minister abandoned the people at the time of the worst economic and health crisis.
Abe is unwilling to admit that there are problems with his health. He is the same as his government's attitude when dealing with the epidemic, and will only take action if he has to.
Harris, who has long studied Japanese politics, said that even if Abe's health deteriorates, he may continue to hold on. Harris, who is about to publish his new book "The Iconoclast: Shinzo Abe and the New Japan" (Temporary translation by those who dare to break through tradition: Shinzo Abe and the New Japan, said: "Abe is undoubtedly determined to avoid similar situations after overcoming the humiliation of resigning in 2007 and the ridicule he suffered after acknowledging that severe gastrointestinal discomfort was one of the reasons for his resignation."
To some extent, Abe's determination may also be due to his desire to save "Abe Economics", but at the same time, his health concerns also sarcastically remind people that Japan's long-standing bad reputation for "death of overwork". The Abe administration has been trying to cleanse this shame. A 2016 survey by the Japanese government found that one in five Japanese workers are at risk of overwork.
Abe advocates "work style reform" and is the only way for Japan to rebirth, including allowing more women to invest in the labor market. Although some signs of change have appeared, Japan has been notorious for its rigorous workplace culture that requires employees to work for a long time.
Retired flower shop Imada Mari who has worked in Europe for 20 years said that in Europe, having a long summer vacation is something to be proud of, but in Japan, being busy is regarded as a sign of success.
Abe seems to be a microcosm of this belief. He has worked for nearly 150 days in January this year, desperately controlling the epidemic and saving the Tokyo Olympics that will be postponed to next year.
