31 Jan. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Shotaro Kishida, son of the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has raised controversy in the country for going shopping and sightseeing during official trips to Canada, the United States and several European countries when he accompanied his father, for whom he works as secretary.
Kishida himself admitted on Tuesday that his 32-year-old son had gone shopping during a visit to London to get souvenirs for Cabinet members. “He bought them on my behalf for all the ministers and I have paid for them out of my own pocket,” the president told the Budget Committee of the Lower House of Parliament.
“Buying this kind of thing on behalf of the prime minister, who is a politician, is included in the duties of the secretaries,” Kishida clarified when asked about the matter.
The prime minister has visited France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States between January 9 and 15 to gain support for the G7 summit in Hiroshima next May.
Last week, the magazine ‘Shukan Shincho’ published that Kishida’s son was with him sightseeing in various European capitals and using the vehicles of Japanese embassies.
However, the Government has stressed that “there is nothing inappropriate” in the actions of Shotaro Kishida when carrying out his duties as secretary to the head of Government.
