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Son of the Prime Minister of Japan: Shotaro Kishida
Photo: STR / AFP
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has decided to change personnel in his cabinet. His son and political secretary, Shotaro Kishida, is to be dismissed because of a party with relatives at his father's official residence. His son's behavior was "inappropriate for a political secretary," and it was decided to "replace him," Fumio Kishida told journalists.
This was preceded by a magazine report that the son of the head of government had invited relatives to a celebration at the official residence last year. As could be seen in photos of the party, the guests re-enacted, among other things, a press conference, one guest was lying on a staircase covered with a red carpet.
Kishida had initially only reprimanded his 32-year-old son, but opposition parties pushed for his removal. Shotaro Kishida will resign on June 1, the head of government added.
European shopping tour in a company car
Prime Minister Kishida had already come under criticism for his son. He had traveled through Europe in a company car to buy gifts for ministers.
Kishida had appointed his son as political secretary in October. The appointment had been criticized at the time as nepotism.
The Japanese head of government had recently dismissed four ministers within just three months. The cabinet members were dismissed for financial irregularities or links to the controversial Unification Church.
col/AFP/AP