Shigeru Ishiba began moving into the Japanese prime minister’s official residence in central Tokyo on Saturday, playing down concerns that the location is haunted by spirits that sought to overthrow previous leaders of the nation.
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Given Ishiba’s precarious position as head of a party that suffered defeat in October’s general election, and he is only clinging on to power in a minority government, ghosts of governments past might be the least of his worries.
Ishiba assumed the post of prime minister in October but continued to live at the accommodation set aside for members of the Diet. The delay in Ishiba moving into his official residence has been put down to renovations being carried out since Fumio Kishida stepped down and left the property.
He is, however, aware of the rumours that the site has been the location for a number of spectral goings-on, replying to a question from a reporter about suggestions the residence is haunted by saying: “I’m not particularly afraid.
“It might be frightening to actually see something, but it is not something that we are worried about.”
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The expansive and futuristic building was only completed in April 2002 and, near the Diet in the Nagatacho district of Tokyo, is known as the Kantei. Less well-known than many other national leaders’ homes – certainly less famous than the White House, No. 10 Downing Street or the Kremlin – it also serves as the primary office of the chief cabinet secretary and is the location of the national crisis management centre.