Japan’s PM fires son loses job over photo

A photo from a party at a troublesome location has become the undoing of the Japanese PM’s son, who had a high-level government job.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has fired his eldest son from the position of his executive secretary amid growing backlash over a controversial party he hosted.

The decision comes after a magazine reported last week that Shotaro Kishida had invited relatives to the official residence for a party last year.

Photos showed some guests pretending to hold a press conference while another was captured lying on the red-carpeted stairs.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida removed his son from the position of his secretary due to “inappropriate behaviour” at the official residence, following a magazine report. Picture: JIJI Press / AFP

“His behaviour last year at the public space was inappropriate for a political secretary, and we have decided to replace him,” Kishida told reporters.

Shotaro Kishida will officially resign from his position on June 1.

The prime minister had appointed his 32-year-old son as a policy secretary, viewed by many as a strategic move to groom him as a potential successor.

However, this decision faced criticism due to the perception of nepotism, a prevalent issue in Japanese politics, which has long been dominated by hereditary politicians.

Shotaro Kishida had organised a party at the residence where guests posed for photos pretending to hold a press conference and lying down on the stairs. Picture: Twitter

Previously, Shotaro Kishida had served as his father’s private secretary.

Seiji Osaka, a prominent legislator from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party, voiced his opinion on the matter.

Osaka was quoted by the Kyodo news agency, saying, “This is too late. I suspect [Kishida] appointed someone who is not capable [of being the] prime minister’s aide to the post.”

The official residence, a nearly century-old building, was initially used as the prime minister’s office but was converted into living quarters in 2005 when a new office was constructed.

Prime Minister Kishida had previously reprimanded his 32-year-old son for his actions, but opposition parties demanded his removal, citing the need for accountability.

Kishida’s government had been grappling with declining approval ratings in recent months but saw a boost to 46 per cent in May.

Prime Minister Kishida faced criticism for nepotism and declining approval ratings, and appointed Takayoshi Yamamoto as the replacement secretary to restore public trust. Picture: JIJI Press / AFP

However, the positive trend was short-lived as the magazine report about the party was published, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Kishida’s administration has faced turmoil in 2023 with four ministers being dismissed within the past three months due to allegations of financial irregularities or connections to the controversial Unification Church.

Prime Minister Kishida announced that Takayoshi Yamamoto would assume the role of secretary on Thursday, replacing Shotaro Kishida.

– With AFP