Recently, Japanese political activist Ishii Keiko was photographed trimming her nails during a congressional meeting, which sparked widespread criticism. Some netizens said her behavior was "unworthy of receiving tax-paid wages" and that she should resign.
Shijie Hui on the 25th issued a written response, stating: "I don't think a woman's nail length or her artificial nails determine a politician's duty. Women should enjoy their own style and responsible work, and these two things aren’t contradictory."
She also emphasized that "the people should not question the political leaders' appearance but rather their thoughts, deeds, and achievements."
However, this response only attracted even more criticism. Some believe that she is “switching the argument” – the focus of criticism is not whether women should get nail art services, but rather the act of engaging in private grooming during congressional deliberations.
As public opinion continued to escalate, Ishii Keiko posted a message on the 26th, admitting her mistake and expressing sincere apologies. She explained that she used a ballpoint pen to remove the foreign object between her nails, which caused pain. The posts in which she responded to netizens had been deleted.
