Former PM Fumio Kishida Earns Silver Button from YouTube

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Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has received YouTube's Silver Play Button, a milestone award given to channels that surpass 100,000 subscribers.

In a video posted at 6:30 PM on June 12, Kishida is seen unboxing the award. He held it up and gave it a playful shake as if to gauge its weight.

"It feels much heavier than it actually is," he said with a broad smile. "This is all thanks to your support."

Titled "Thank You for 100,000 Subscribers," the video shows the former prime minister unboxing the Silver Play Button from a sleek black case.

Holding it up, he asked, "Is this the Silver Button?" and gave it a few gleeful shakes. With the subtitles "buzz, buzz, buzz," the video added a lighthearted touch to the scene.

Heavy Policy to Light-hearted Fare

Kishida launched his YouTube channel in July 2011. While in office, he mainly uploaded serious, policy-focused content. Since stepping down, however, he has shifted to a more lighthearted style, posting videos with subtitles, sound effects, and a casual tone.

In a video released in December 2024, he reflected on an April 23, 2023, incident in Wakayama Prefecture, where an explosive device was thrown at him. "I didn't feel any sense of urgency," he said in the video. "I just thought, 'Oh, so this is what it’s like to be prime minister.'"

When the Silver Play Button was unveiled, Kishida's channel had around 140,000 subscribers. By noon on June 26, that number had already surpassed 180,000. "I will do my best to continue sharing my activities," he promised.

Will the next milestone be one million subscribers and the coveted Gold Play Button? Or…

Author: The Sankei Shimbun

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