In Japan, a scandal is gaining momentum around Shotaro Kishida, the eldest son of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who used an official car for private tourist trips to European cities. Shukan Shincho reported on January 26 that Shotaro Kishida often accompanied his father on foreign trips.
During such trips, Kishida Jr., who holds the post of secretary to the prime minister for political affairs, in particular, took the cars of the Japanese embassies in London and Paris. Thus, he used them to visit the sights of these cities, TASS adds.
Seiji Kihara, Deputy Secretary General of the Cabinet of Ministers of Japan, reacted to the situation, saying that the government is aware of this publication. The official gave explanations, but did not confirm that Kishida Jr.’s trips were tourist, not work.
“During foreign trips, members of the Prime Minister’s delegation use an official vehicle if necessary, based on security issues and the traffic situation on the spot,” he commented.
It is expected that in the coming days this topic will be discussed during the debate in Parliament.
Fumio Kishida was elected as the country’s 100th Prime Minister on October 4, 2021. His candidacy was supported by 311 out of 458 parliamentarians. Yukio Edano, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, received 124 votes.
A year later, on October 4, 2022, it became known that Kishida appointed his eldest son, then 31-year-old Shotaro Kishida, as his assistant. A spokesman for the prime minister commented that the position was in line with the experience of the younger Kishida.