Japan’s government has recently confirmed that an official photograph of its newly formed cabinet was digitally altered to present a more polished appearance. This revelation comes after considerable speculation online regarding the authenticity of the image.
In media coverage, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Defence Minister were photographed with noticeable patches of white shirts visible beneath their suits. However, the version released by the Prime Minister’s Office looked significantly neater, which led to a wave of mockery across social media platforms.
In response to the backlash, a government spokesperson stated on Monday that “minor editing was made” to enhance the officials’ appearance. Spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi explained that these group photos taken by the Prime Minister’s Office are meant to serve as memorabilia for future generations, and minor touch-ups are standard practice.
The humor surrounding the image continued to grow online, with one commenter likening the cabinet photo to a group picture from a community seniors’ trip, describing it as “utterly embarrassing.” Another user highlighted the ill-fitting suits of the cabinet members, specifically pointing out issues with their trousers.
This photograph was taken shortly after the inaugural meeting of Japan’s new cabinet, which convened following Ishiba’s rise to leadership of the ruling party and his official appointment as Prime Minister. During a recent news conference in Tokyo, Ishiba announced plans for a snap election set for October 27, emphasizing the urgency for his administration to receive public judgment ahead of the scheduled timeline. This election will determine the control of Parliament’s lower house, occurring more than a year earlier than anticipated.
