Japan's new cabinet photo criticized as 'sloppy', had to be edited

Mr. Hayashi mentioned this information after some media outlets reported that the images taken by reporters had different details than the photos posted by the Japanese Prime Minister's Office, The Japan Times reported on October 7.

Accordingly, the original photo shows a small part of the white shirts of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Defense Minister Nakatani Gen exposed above the waist, while the photo released by the government has the shirts covered. In addition, the positions of some ministers have also been moved slightly to be more prominent.

When first published, the original photo caused many satirical comments about the "carelessness" in taking the photo.

PHOTO: SCREENSHOT THE JAPAN TIMES

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said that not only the photos of cabinet members mentioned above, but also photos at official events at the Prime Minister's Office will be kept for many years to come, so some of the photos have been edited to be appropriate.

Mr. Ishiba Shigeru was officially appointed as the new Prime Minister of Japan on October 1, and the new government's cabinet held its first meeting a few days later. Mr. Ishiba announced that an early general election would be held on October 27.

In March, questions and controversies about photo editing arose in the British Royal Family, when Princess Kate posted a photo with her three children. Media outlets later discovered unreasonable details and signs of photo editing, according to The Independent .

A media storm ensued and on March 11, Princess Kate had to apologize for editing the photo. "Like many amateur photographers, I occasionally edit my own photos. I would like to apologize if the family photo we shared yesterday caused any confusion," she said.