Obscuring Responsibility. Shifting the Focus. Clouding with Abstractions. Why are Politicians' Words So Hard to Understand? Thoroughly Deciphering "Politician Syntax" for Skillfully Evading Responsibility! "The Art of Politicians Not Answering" to be Released on April 24th
Fusosha will release "The Art of Politicians Not Answering" on April 24, 2026. This book analyzes "politician syntax," the techniques politicians use to avoid responsibility and shift arguments, providing practical insights for readers to discern the true meaning behind words.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 19:30
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"The Art of Politicians Not Answering"
"We will accelerate discussions," "We are committed to explaining thoroughly," etc.
The technique of making it seem like you've answered, when you haven't: "Politician Syntax"
Have you ever listened to a politician speak on TV and felt that even though they were speaking politely, you couldn't quite grasp what they actually said?
That's not a problem with your comprehension. It's because politicians use "politician syntax," a technique to make it seem like they've answered when they haven't.
This book thoroughly deciphers this politician syntax, hidden in parliamentary debates, press conferences, and speeches, using concrete examples. It reveals how politicians obscure responsibility, shift the focus, cloud issues with abstract language, and substitute procedural discussions for substantive ones. The mechanism behind why politicians' words are so difficult to understand becomes clear.
Examples of syntax covered in this book include:
■ Shinzo Abe's "sincerely taking it to heart" responsibility-evading syntax
■ Fumio Kishida's characteristic "we will carefully consider it" syntax for postponing conclusions
■ Shigeru Ishiba's "detailed yet hard to convey" explanatory syntax
■ Shinjiro Koizumi's typical "seems meaningful but is meaningless" poetic syntax
The appeal of this book goes beyond merely listing politicians' strange turns of phrase. Why do people accept answers that aren't really answers? Why do words lacking substance sound so plausible?
It explains this by taking into account the underlying structures of politics, media, and society.
Furthermore, this book also focuses on politicians whose language doesn't rely on such syntax:
■ Junichiro Koizumi's "destroy it" one-liner politics
■ Sanae Takaichi's technique of "weaving strength into words"
■ Sohei Kamiya's narrative of "engaging the audience with a sense of mission"
■ Yuichiro Tamaki's communication "with moderation and dignity"
The ability to see through politicians' words is not only useful in the political world. Our daily lives are also filled with words that seem to answer but don't, in meetings, negotiations, presentations, and explanations to superiors.
Reading this book will equip you with the perspective to discern content and responsibility, without being swayed by the impression of words.
Politicians' speeches will suddenly become interesting. Your view of the news will change. You'll be less likely to be deceived by words.
This book is a practical guide for that purpose.
Representative syntax of various politicians, including Shinzo Abe, are introduced.
[Table of Contents]
[Author Profile]
Tomonori Morikawa
Former Professor, Faculty of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University. Ph.D. in Political Science. Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1955. Graduated from Waseda University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics. Obtained M.A. in Political Science from Boston University and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Oregon. After working for the United Nations, served as Assistant Professor at Lewis & Clark College, Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Oregon, and currently holds his position. Specializes in Japanese politics, love studies, and evolutionary political science. His political science books include "60-Year Security Treaty: Six Testimonies" (co-edited, Dōjidai-sha), "Young People Lose 40 Million Yen by Not Voting!?", "What to Do! Japan, a Dependent Nation" (Discover Twenty One), and "Political Science for Survival" (Kōbundō).
[Bibliographic Information]
Title: "The Art of Politicians Not Answering"
Price: 1,100 yen (tax included)
Publisher: Fusosha
Release Date: April 24, 2026 (Friday)
ISBN: 978-4594102791
■Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594102794
■Rakuten Books
https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18597255/
◆Inquiries regarding articles and this book
To Fusosha Inc. Public Relations
senden@fusosha.co.jp
"We will accelerate discussions," "We are committed to explaining thoroughly," etc.
The technique of making it seem like you've answered, when you haven't: "Politician Syntax"
Have you ever listened to a politician speak on TV and felt that even though they were speaking politely, you couldn't quite grasp what they actually said?
That's not a problem with your comprehension. It's because politicians use "politician syntax," a technique to make it seem like they've answered when they haven't.
This book thoroughly deciphers this politician syntax, hidden in parliamentary debates, press conferences, and speeches, using concrete examples. It reveals how politicians obscure responsibility, shift the focus, cloud issues with abstract language, and substitute procedural discussions for substantive ones. The mechanism behind why politicians' words are so difficult to understand becomes clear.
Examples of syntax covered in this book include:
■ Shinzo Abe's "sincerely taking it to heart" responsibility-evading syntax
■ Fumio Kishida's characteristic "we will carefully consider it" syntax for postponing conclusions
■ Shigeru Ishiba's "detailed yet hard to convey" explanatory syntax
■ Shinjiro Koizumi's typical "seems meaningful but is meaningless" poetic syntax
The appeal of this book goes beyond merely listing politicians' strange turns of phrase. Why do people accept answers that aren't really answers? Why do words lacking substance sound so plausible?
It explains this by taking into account the underlying structures of politics, media, and society.
Furthermore, this book also focuses on politicians whose language doesn't rely on such syntax:
■ Junichiro Koizumi's "destroy it" one-liner politics
■ Sanae Takaichi's technique of "weaving strength into words"
■ Sohei Kamiya's narrative of "engaging the audience with a sense of mission"
■ Yuichiro Tamaki's communication "with moderation and dignity"
The ability to see through politicians' words is not only useful in the political world. Our daily lives are also filled with words that seem to answer but don't, in meetings, negotiations, presentations, and explanations to superiors.
Reading this book will equip you with the perspective to discern content and responsibility, without being swayed by the impression of words.
Politicians' speeches will suddenly become interesting. Your view of the news will change. You'll be less likely to be deceived by words.
This book is a practical guide for that purpose.
Representative syntax of various politicians, including Shinzo Abe, are introduced.
[Table of Contents]
[Author Profile]
Tomonori Morikawa
Former Professor, Faculty of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University. Ph.D. in Political Science. Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1955. Graduated from Waseda University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics. Obtained M.A. in Political Science from Boston University and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Oregon. After working for the United Nations, served as Assistant Professor at Lewis & Clark College, Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Oregon, and currently holds his position. Specializes in Japanese politics, love studies, and evolutionary political science. His political science books include "60-Year Security Treaty: Six Testimonies" (co-edited, Dōjidai-sha), "Young People Lose 40 Million Yen by Not Voting!?", "What to Do! Japan, a Dependent Nation" (Discover Twenty One), and "Political Science for Survival" (Kōbundō).
[Bibliographic Information]
Title: "The Art of Politicians Not Answering"
Price: 1,100 yen (tax included)
Publisher: Fusosha
Release Date: April 24, 2026 (Friday)
ISBN: 978-4594102791
■Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594102794
■Rakuten Books
https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18597255/
◆Inquiries regarding articles and this book
To Fusosha Inc. Public Relations
senden@fusosha.co.jp