Producers of Japan’s manga comic books are rejoicing over the political hubbub after the surprise resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, a business daily said yesterday.
Shares of animation companies shot up as former foreign minister Taro Aso, an avid fan of manga, was touted as the most likely candidate to succeed Fukuda at the helm of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and as prime minister.
Japan’s leading Nikkei Shimbun said that shares of Broccoli, a company selling animation products, rose 21 percent to ¥70 (US$0.65) on Tuesday after Aso announced his candidature.
The 67-year-old LDP hawk is known for his manga fandom and stands a good chance to clinch the party presidency on Sept. 22, which would make him the de facto leader of the ruling coalition of the LDP and the New Komeito party.
Fukuda announced his resignation on Monday over lack of public support and a political stalemate with the opposition, which controls the upper house of Japan’s parliament.
Shares of Japanese anime — or animation products — spiked for a short period in September when Aso previously ran for party leadership, but declined when he lost to Fukuda.
Japanese shares closed up 0.64 percent yesterday, bouncing off a five-month low as investors cheered a drop in oil prices and a weaker yen.
The market made up some lost ground after a fall the previous day triggered Fukuda’s sudden resignation.
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