I don't literally agree with what he said - which was probably a half-joking comment to another guy and not at all official - but I think these kind of "extreme" positions that weren't always extreme need to be encouraged and shown as acceptable so the NHK liberal position doesn't become dominant through social conditioning. The government doesn't need to officially sanction that view, but there shouldn't be any punishment either. He should have been quietly sidelined or the statements ignored. Who is the PM virtue signaling to?

I'm disappointed he apologized, but that's typical of Japan.