Yukio Mishima and Shintaro Ishihara: What If They Were Political Allies in Modern Japan?

Yukio Mishima and Shintaro Ishihara: What If They Were Political Allies in Modern Japan?

Question from a reader:
Do you think that if Yukio Mishima were alive, he would have become a wonderful politician for Japan alongside Shintaro Ishihara?

If Yukio Mishima and Shintaro Ishihara Were Politicians

I pondered whether Yukio Mishima would have become a remarkable politician alongside Shintaro Ishihara if he were alive today. In fact, I’ve been reflecting on this question for
a while. It’s particularly intriguing to consider how different their ideologies and values were, which might lead to some interesting discoveries.

The Ideals and Reality of Yukio Mishima

Looking back at Yukio Mishima’s literature and philosophy, it seems he was not interested in ideals that could be achieved in the real world. His works consistently explore themes of beauty, transience, and death, which are deeply reflected in his way of life. He may have believed that true ideals are those that are impossible to realize. I remember a time when I was brainstorming comedy material with a friend, and in pursuit of feasible ideas, we discarded some intriguing concepts. Ultimately, in our quest for humor, we overlooked the realistic aspects. From that experience, I feel I can somewhat understand Mishima’s perspective.

Relationship with Shintaro Ishihara

On the other hand, Shintaro Ishihara built a career as a politician and successfully implemented various policies. His ideology leaned towards a more pragmatic approach, in contrast to Mishima’s pursuit of an “ideal death.” If they had worked together in politics, what kind of chemical reactions might have occurred? Just imagining it is fascinating. Sometimes, I find myself in discussions with friends where completely different opinions clash. However, through such debates, I enjoy gaining new perspectives and discovering unexpected common ground. If Mishima and Ishihara had exchanged ideas, they might have come up with surprising concepts together.

In Conclusion

Ultimately, we may never know if Yukio Mishima would have become a politician, but his thoughts and way of life encourage us to contemplate many things. It’s essential to pursue our ideals while also accepting reality. What do you think? If you have any interesting stories or opinions about Yukio Mishima or Shintaro Ishihara, please share them in the comments! I’m looking forward to the discussions ahead.