"Only a Drizzle of Soup and No Milk"... Why Did a Japanese City Council Member Face Backlash for Posting a Poor School Meal Photo?

Takara Munenori, a member of the National Diet, posted a photo of an elementary school lunch on his SNS account on the 13th, claiming it was a poor-quality meal. The school and meal officials objected, stating the photo was taken before the distribution was completed. After public criticism continued, Representative Takara apologized and deleted the post. Ryukyu Shimpo capture

A city council member in Japan faced backlash after posting a photo on social networking services (SNS), claiming it showed poor-quality school meals. Public criticism intensified when it became known that the photo was taken at a specific moment during meal preparation.

According to the Ryukyu Shimpo on June 17, the council member at the center of the controversy is Takara Munenori of Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture. On June 13, he posted a photo of a school meal taken at an elementary school in the city on his SNS account. The meal in the photo consisted of rice, a single piece of grilled fish, and a small amount of soup that barely covered the bottom of the bowl. There was no milk. The post was viewed more than 15 million times on SNS. However, school meal officials in the city expressed anger, saying it was "an act of mocking those who work in school meal services," and according to the Ryukyu Shimpo, some even shed tears.

The lunch menu on June 13 included rice, pork miso soup with mushrooms, simmered anchovy with katsuobushi, and milk. However, in the photo posted by Councilor Takara, there were hardly any solid ingredients in the soup, and milk had not yet been served. Councilor Takara's visit that day was part of an on-site investigation to prepare for general questions in the city council regarding school meals. He visited an elementary school in the city after noon on June 13, took photos of the meal with the vice principal's permission, and then posted them on SNS. After the post, the meal service center explained, "The milk and remaining side dishes were served after Councilor Takara left the site."

On June 14, the following day, Councilor Takara posted an apology on SNS and deleted the original post. When interviewed by the media on June 16, he explained, "I posted it to inform citizens in advance and to encourage interest in the city council." However, regarding the controversy over the accuracy of the photo, he insisted, "I do not think it is inaccurate. I do not think it is wrong at all," adding, "In other classes as well, similarly small portions of solid ingredients were served, just like in the photo." When the city council announced that it would hold him accountable, Councilor Takara decided to attend the city council meeting on June 17 to explain the series of events and offer an apology.