Furious Japanese officials have admitted to editing a photograph of the country’s new cabinet.
Both the media and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s office published photographs of the meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Tokyo on October 1.
But careful observers noted that there were some differences in the version released by officials, sparking online speculation that it had been manipulated.
In the images, the newly installed Ishiba can be seen shoulder to shoulder with his colleagues as he introduces the ministers he has chosen to govern Japan.
But media images show a slight wardrobe malfunction that ended up being corrected with a “small edit.” a government spokesman later admitted.
An image taken by the media shows Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba standing shoulder to shoulder with his ministers but with a slight wardrobe malfunction.
This photo showing the Prime Minister and members of his cabinet was released by the Prime Minister’s office.
In the original unedited images, which appeared in local media publications, small patches of white shirts can be seen peeking out from under the suits of the Prime Minister and the Japanese Defense Minister.
Official images of Japan’s Prime Minister show white shirts mysteriously absent.
After the images were mocked online, with Japanese social media users calling them “absolutely embarrassing”, a spokesperson finally admitted today that “minor editing” had been done.
In words reported by bbc newsSpokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said the images had been manipulated because they “will be preserved forever as memories.”
Mr. Hayashi said: “There are usually minor edits made to these photos.”
The spokesperson’s comments sparked ridicule online.
One user on One It’s absolutely shameful.
Another said it was clear ministers were wearing suits that “didn’t fit” and were not the right size.
Prime Minister Ishiba was the surprise winner in the leadership elections of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan. She defeated Sanae Takaichi, who if she had won would have become Japan’s first female prime minister.
In the original unedited images, which appeared in local media publications, small patches of white shirts can be seen peeking out from under the suits of the Prime Minister (right) and the Japanese Defense Minister (left).
Leading the leadership race in September, Ishiba announced plans for a snap election on September 27.
He said then: “It is important that the new administration be judged by the people as soon as possible.”
In the elections, Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party will seek to secure another mandate. The party has been in power almost continuously for the last 68 years. This, apart from brief periods in the opposition in the 1990s and 2000s.
Polls for the upcoming elections suggest the party is on track to secure another four years in power.
