Japan’s government faced scrutiny after it was revealed that an official photo of the new cabinet had been manipulated to make members appear more put-together. The original photos showed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his defense minister with white shirt patches visible under their suits, sparking online ridicule. However, the edited photo issued by the prime minister’s office painted a different picture.
Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that “minor editing” had been done to the image, citing the tradition of enhancing group photos for posterity. The social media frenzy continued, with users criticizing the ill-fitting attire of the cabinet members.
Amidst the controversy, Ishiba, who recently took office, announced plans for a snap election on October 27th to gauge public opinion on his administration. This decision, coming shortly after he replaced outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, will determine the party in control of Japan’s lower house of parliament. The rush to an election reflects Ishiba’s desire for quick validation from the people.
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