Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“Japan’s government has admitted an official photo of its new cabinet was manipulated to make members look less unkempt after online speculation that it had been edited. Photos taken by local media showed the new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, and his defence minister with small patches of white shirt showing under their suits. But in the official photo issued by the prime minister’s office on Thursday, the untidiness had disappeared. After plenty of online mockery, a government spokesperson on Monday said ‘minor editing was made’ to the image. Spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters the image had been manipulated as group photos taken by the prime minister’s office ‘will be preserved forever as memorabilia.’ He added that ‘minor editing is customarily performed on these photos.’ His comments come after a barrage of mockery on social media.” (10/07/24)