What's happened
Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faced backlash after his office released a digitally altered cabinet photo. The edits, which included tucking in shirts and repositioning ministers, raised questions about transparency and the standards of political imagery in Japan. The incident has drawn comparisons to similar controversies involving public figures globally.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the Japanese government acknowledged the photo manipulation, stating it was standard practice. Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary, emphasized that such edits are common for official photos, aiming to maintain a polished image. In contrast, The Independent reported that the edits were met with mockery online, with users comparing the photo to a 'seniors’ club' outing. The Japan Times noted that the alterations included repositioning ministers for better prominence, further fueling criticism about transparency. Politico highlighted the scrutiny from digital sleuths who compared the altered image with unedited versions, underscoring the public's keen eye on political representation.
How we got here
The controversy arose shortly after Shigeru Ishiba was appointed Prime Minister, succeeding Fumio Kishida. The cabinet photo was taken during their first meeting, but the original image revealed untidy appearances, prompting the government to release a modified version.
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