Kishida Japanese Prime Minister's Eldest Son Causes Controversy with Private Party in Official Residence Office

Year-End Party with About 10 Relatives at the End of Last Year
Commemorative Photo on the Carpeted Stairs

Sh?tar? Kishida, the eldest son of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Prime Minister's Political Secretary, has caused controversy for reportedly enjoying a private event with relatives at the Prime Minister's official residence (K?tei) last year.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
[Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the Japanese weekly magazine "Sh?kan Bunshun" on the 25th, Secretary Sh?tar? held a year-end party at the K?tei with about ten relatives at the end of last year and took photos on a red carpeted staircase that resembled the commemorative photo taken by newly appointed cabinet members.

This staircase was also used for commemorative photos by new cabinet members during the cabinet reshuffle in August last year. One of the attendees even took a photo lying face down on this staircase. In Japan, the K?tei is a public space distinct from the Prime Minister's official office residence where the Prime Minister conducts daily life, but it is strictly a public space.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated that day, "There were inappropriate aspects to the reported behavior, and Prime Minister Kishida gave a stern warning."

Earlier, Secretary Sh?tar? was also suspected of using an official car for sightseeing during Prime Minister Kishida's Europe and North America trip in January. At that time, the Japanese government denied the allegations, stating that he used the official car to purchase souvenirs for the Prime Minister and that "there was absolutely no personal sightseeing activity."

Secretary Sh?tar? has served as the Prime Minister's Political Secretary since October last year, after working at a major corporation and as a public secretary.