Saturday, June 21, 2025

Japanese Prime Minister Moves into Haunted Residence Despite Ghost Rumors

Side view of the Japanese Prime Minister\'s official residence in Tokyo, rumored to be haunted. / Japanese Prime Minister\'s Office website, News1
Side view of the Japanese Prime Minister’s official residence in Tokyo, rumored to be haunted. / Japanese Prime Minister’s Office website, News1

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba spent his first night at the official residence since taking office on Sunday despite rumors of ghostly apparitions.

According to Yomiuri Shimbun and other sources, Ishiba, appointed last October, had lived at the House of Representatives quarters, approximately 400 meters (0.25 miles) from the official residence. He has now relocated to the official residence to manage potential crises better.

The official residence underwent renovations, completed at the end of last year. It is just a one-minute walk from the House of Representatives quarters.

However, reports suggest that Ishiba and his wife will not completely vacate their previous accommodation at the House of Representatives quarters, opting to maintain it for now.

The Japanese Prime Minister’s official residence has a dark history. In 1936, it hosted a coup led by over 1,400 Japanese soldiers who advocated direct imperial rule. Since the coup’s failure, persistent rumors have circulated that ghosts have appeared in the residence.

Addressing these rumors, Ishiba stated, “I’m from the Ghost Q-taro generation, so I’m not scared. It might be scary if I actually saw it, but I’m not too concerned.” He referenced a popular 1960s comic featuring the ghost character Q-taro.

The official residence has been in use since former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s tenure in 2005. While most successive prime ministers have resided there, Shinzo Abe commuted from his Tokyo home during his second administration, and Yoshihide Suga chose to commute from the members’ quarters.

After nine years, Fumio Kishida used the official residence in December 2021. However, in 2023, he unexpectedly left the residence in the middle of the night and stayed at a hotel for undisclosed reasons. The government explained that the residence’s facilities had malfunctioned, but this fueled speculation that ghosts might be the reason.

The residence has consistently been reported as uncomfortably cold or too spacious, leading to feelings of unease among its occupants.

Hot this week

Japan’s Steel Giant Takes Over US Steel: What It Means for American Workers

Nippon Steel acquires U.S. Steel for $14.1 billion, ensuring U.S. government oversight and maintaining its headquarters in Pittsburgh.

Trump’s Ultimatum to Iran Jolts Oil Prices into Unsteady Climb

Oil prices rose slightly as markets reacted to Trump's ultimatum to Iran, with WTI and Brent crude experiencing minor gains.

Wall Street Wobbles After Powell Says No Rush on Rate Cuts

U.S. markets closed mixed after the Fed maintained interest rates, with tech stocks like Tesla and Nvidia gaining amid cautious investor sentiment.

Apple Joins Google in Map Export Request, Vows Flexible Compliance

Apple seeks South Korean approval to export high-precision map data, offering to accommodate government demands unlike Google.

Wall Street Takes a Dive as Tensions Rise Over Iran

The New York stock market fell sharply due to rising tensions in the Middle East and declines in major tech and solar stocks.

Topics

Japan’s Steel Giant Takes Over US Steel: What It Means for American Workers

Nippon Steel acquires U.S. Steel for $14.1 billion, ensuring U.S. government oversight and maintaining its headquarters in Pittsburgh.

Trump’s Ultimatum to Iran Jolts Oil Prices into Unsteady Climb

Oil prices rose slightly as markets reacted to Trump's ultimatum to Iran, with WTI and Brent crude experiencing minor gains.

Wall Street Wobbles After Powell Says No Rush on Rate Cuts

U.S. markets closed mixed after the Fed maintained interest rates, with tech stocks like Tesla and Nvidia gaining amid cautious investor sentiment.

Apple Joins Google in Map Export Request, Vows Flexible Compliance

Apple seeks South Korean approval to export high-precision map data, offering to accommodate government demands unlike Google.

Wall Street Takes a Dive as Tensions Rise Over Iran

The New York stock market fell sharply due to rising tensions in the Middle East and declines in major tech and solar stocks.

Brent and WTI Climb Following Heightened Concerns Over Iran Conflict

Oil prices surged amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with fears of disruptions to Iranian oil exports following Trump's return.

Why Stablecoins Struggle to Compete with Credit Cards in America

Stablecoins lack consumer incentives compared to credit cards, limiting adoption despite potential in specific payment areas.

Wall Street Bounces Back: Stocks Rally Amid Iran-Israel Ceasefire Hopes

US stock indices rebounded on the 16th as reports emerged of Iran seeking negotiations amidst ongoing conflicts.

Related Articles