- ■ Introduction: When a metaphor lights up a campaign
- ■ Background: A familiar face in a turbulent party
- ■ The phrase: “Picking up chestnuts from the fire”
- ■ Reaction: Applause, doubt, and memes
- ■ What is a “Koizumi-ism”?
- ■ So where does “chestnuts from the fire” fit in?
- ■ Political semiotics: The structure behind the style
- ■ Risk vs reward: Does this style help or hurt?
- ■ Projection: How this phrase may evolve
- ■ Final thoughts: A speech or a spell?
- 🔗 Sources
■ Introduction: When a metaphor lights up a campaign
In September 2025, Japanese politician Shinjiro Koizumi made a declaration that grabbed national headlines and sparked waves of interpretation on social media:
“I’ve made up my mind. I’m ready to pick up the chestnuts from the fire.”
The remark came as Koizumi, currently serving as Minister of Agriculture, announced his intention to run in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election, potentially positioning himself as the next Prime Minister of Japan.
To outsiders, it’s a curious phrase.
To Japanese audiences, it’s a classic idiom with centuries of cultural resonance.
To meme-watchers and political observers alike, it’s a “Koizumi-ism” — a moment where metaphor, messaging, and media converge.
This article unpacks what the phrase means, how it’s been received, and why it reflects both Koizumi’s political strategy and his famously poetic (sometimes baffling) style of speech.
■ Background: A familiar face in a turbulent party
▶ Who is Shinjiro Koizumi?
- Son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Shinjiro has long been viewed as a rising star in Japanese politics.
- Known for his media savvy and often philosophical turns of phrase, he previously served as Minister of the Environment and gained attention for his climate rhetoric.
- Loved by some for his charisma, mocked by others for his vague pronouncements — he remains a divisive but watchable figure.
▶ The 2025 political context
- With Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s approval ratings dropping and intraparty factions jostling for position, the LDP leadership race became a high-stakes event.
- While bigger names like Taro Kono and Sanae Takaichi weighed their options, Koizumi declared his candidacy on September 13th, surprising many by stepping forward.
- His reasoning? A sense of duty, despite the risks — hence, the chestnut metaphor.
■ The phrase: “Picking up chestnuts from the fire”
🔍 Meaning and origin
The Japanese idiom 火中の栗を拾う (kachū no kuri o hirou) literally means:
“To pick up chestnuts from the fire.”
It originates from a 17th-century French fable by La Fontaine, where a monkey uses a cat’s paw to retrieve chestnuts from a fire — letting the cat get burned while the monkey enjoys the reward.
In modern Japanese, however, it has evolved to mean:
Taking a great risk or doing a thankless task for someone else — often knowing you’ll get burned in the process.
📢 Koizumi’s usage
During his speech in his hometown of Yokosuka, Koizumi said:
“I feel the weight of responsibility. I know it’s dangerous. But I have to do it. I’ll pick up the chestnuts from the fire.”
He framed this election not as a chance, but as a burden — one he’s uniquely willing to bear.
■ Reaction: Applause, doubt, and memes
The public and political responses have ranged from admiration to mockery — often simultaneously.
💬 Supporters’ view:
- “He’s finally stepping up when others are stepping back.”
- “This shows guts and self-sacrifice. That’s leadership.”
- “Only someone willing to get burned can clean up this mess.”
🤨 Critics’ view:
- “Chestnuts? Fire? What are we even talking about?”
- “Sounds poetic, but what’s the actual policy here?”
- “Another vague Koizumi-ism to dodge specifics.”
🧓 Notably, former PM Taro Aso reacted with a jab:
“If I were his age, I wouldn’t be picking up any chestnuts.”
The comment, dry and dismissive, was widely interpreted as a seasoned politician warning the younger Koizumi about playing with fire too soon.
■ What is a “Koizumi-ism”?
In Japan, the term “Koizumi-ism” (進次郎構文) has become a meme-like shorthand for the way Shinjiro Koizumi speaks:
Rhetorical, vague, emotionally charged, and often oddly circular.
✍️ Examples from the past include:
- “I’m not speaking poetry. I’m speaking Koizumi.”
- “If we don’t solve the problem, the problem won’t be solved.”
- “The issue of the environment is an environmental issue.”
These phrases are not incorrect, but they walk a fine line between profundity and parody.
They sound bold but often lack concrete substance — which is precisely why they stick in people’s minds.
■ So where does “chestnuts from the fire” fit in?
Koizumi’s use of “I will pick up the chestnuts from the fire” has all the hallmarks of a Koizumi-ism:
| Feature | Present? |
|---|---|
| Familiar idiom | ✅ (used as-is, but dramatized) |
| Metaphorical resonance | ✅ (risk, self-sacrifice) |
| Vague application | ✅ (no clear policy tied to it) |
| Media-friendly soundbite | ✅ |
| Emotional appeal | ✅ |
| Room for mockery | ✅ |
It functions as a narrative tool, casting Koizumi as the brave, self-sacrificing figure — the only one willing to act when others retreat.
And crucially, he doesn’t explain the fire, or what the chestnuts are. That’s left to the listener’s imagination.
■ Political semiotics: The structure behind the style
🔸 Why it resonates in Japan:
- Japanese culture often values indirect expression, and idioms carry emotional weight
- The idea of gaman (endurance) and tatemae (presentation) play into the way politicians are expected to communicate
- Koizumi uses metaphor not to evade, but to elevate — making his campaign seem like an epic moral task
In this way, his structure mirrors that of a stage play or a myth more than a typical policy speech.
■ Risk vs reward: Does this style help or hurt?
It depends on the audience.
🟢 Supporters:
- See him as a courageous reformer, someone willing to act when others fear backlash
- Appreciate the emotional directness of his metaphors
- View him as “a politician who speaks like no one else”, in a culture often dominated by gray suits and flat slogans
🔴 Critics:
- Argue that the vagueness masks a lack of policy depth
- View Koizumi as more concerned with media optics than governance
- Worry that Japan’s challenges require clarity, not metaphor
■ Projection: How this phrase may evolve
Like many Koizumi-isms, “chestnuts from the fire” may:
- Be self-referenced in future speeches
“This is yet another chestnut I’ve had to pick up.”
- Be echoed or satirized by opponents
“We need a leader who doesn’t just collect chestnuts.”
- Be reframed into a personal narrative arc
“I’ve been burned, but I’ll keep reaching into the fire.”
It’s a memeable, modular phrase — and that makes it a political asset, regardless of substance.
■ Final thoughts: A speech or a spell?
Shinjiro Koizumi’s “chestnuts from the fire” moment is more than a campaign statement.
It’s a layered rhetorical device designed to signal courage, sacrifice, and conviction — even as it leaves much unsaid.
Whether you admire or mock it, the phrase works.
Because in politics — especially in Japan — what lingers is not always logic, but language that feels like legend.
