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The politics of comic books

Taro Aso

TOKYO: Shares in a Japanese comic book shop chain jumped by nearly 13 per cent on Wednesday on speculation that the cartoon-loving former Foreign Minister may be in line to become the country’s next Prime Minister.

Taro Aso, a big fan of ‘manga,’ or Japanese cartoons, and the secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is regarded as one of the leading candidates to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who announced his resignation on Wednesday following a string of damaging scandals and an electoral defeat in July. Mr. Aso has argued that warm feelings for Japanese manga and animation can translate into warm feelings for Japanese foreign policy, and has previously promised to promote Japanese comics and animation overseas.

As Foreign Minister he oversaw the launch of the International Manga Award — an honour he has likened to “a Nobel Prize” for the genre.

Second-hand comic book store operator Mandarake soared 12.95 per cent to finish at 436,000 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Manga often combine stories with drawing styles that differ from their Western superhero counterparts, particularly in their frequent emphasis on cuteness. — AP

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