Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made headlines yesterday (December 1) in Tokyo when she attended an international conference hosted by Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative (FII). She famously quoted a line from the wildly popular Japanese anime "Attack on Titan" – "Just shut your mouths! And invest everything in me!" – to global investors, urging them to boldly invest in Japan. The move not only stunned the audience but also became a hot topic among Japanese netizens.
Takaichi stated that she wanted to conclude her address with a famous line from "Attack on Titan": "Just shut your mouths! And invest everything in me."
She added that she believed everyone present understood her message, concluding with a famous quote from the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe: "Japan is back. Invest Japan." The venue erupted in even more enthusiastic applause and laughter.
For "Attack on Titan" fans, this line is iconic. When Eren first revealed his Titan abilities, the Eldians feared his power. In court, Eren famously declared, "Just shut your mouths! And invest everything in me!", demanding everyone to stop arguing and put all their trust in him to defeat the Titans beyond the walls.
Of course, this also comes amidst heightened Sino-Japanese tensions, with China having banned Japanese travel to China, urged its citizens to avoid visiting Japan, and abruptly halted or canceled performances by Japanese artists in China. Takaichi's call aims to encourage other nations to actively invest in Japan. She emphasized that Japan will continue to promote a "free and open international order based on the rule of law" and will collaborate with friendly partners like Saudi Arabia to rebuild a responsible global governance system.
While quoting a line from "Attack on Titan" in such a formal setting is highly unusual for a Japanese politician, it undeniably sparked widespread discussion.