Japan's distinguished politician Mr. Hayashi recently withdrew his statements regarding his commitments during the Senate elections. This political backtrack occurred in the wake of public scrutiny, presumably after doubts were raised about the feasibility of his proposals. No details have been revealed about what specific promises were withdrawn. The timing and consequences of this turn-about have yet to be fully disclosed.

In Japan, election pledges are taken seriously. They are seen as a sign of a politician's intent and the basis for voters' decisions. Hence, retracting a statement about election promises not only triggers immediate political consequences but can also significantly impact a politician's reputation among constituents.

In the U.S. or EU, retraction of election promises is also negatively perceived. Trust in politicians is already relatively low, and such instances reinforce public cynicism and skepticism about political promises. However, outright retraction of promises is rarer in Western democracies, with politicians usually reframing their earlier pledges or blaming external factors for non-fulfillment instead.