Japanese lawmaker resigns after posting tourist-like photos while on work trip in France

A lawmaker in Japan has resigned from the country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as its head of Women’s Affairs Division after receiving a backlash for posting tourist-like photos during an official visit to France.

From July 24 to 28, Ms Rui Matsukawa, an Upper House member, was on a research trip with more than 30 other participants, including local legislators. During the visit, LDP members exchanged opinions with members of France’s two legislative chambers on issues such as declining birth rates.

On July 27, the 52-year-old posted several tourist-like photos on social media. This included a photo of herself and two other participants mimicking the shape of the Eiffel Tower in front of the historical landmark.

The photo, which has since been deleted, drew strong online criticism from taxpayers who lamented that taxes are not for lawmakers to attend a fun trip, reported the Japanese media.

Ms Matsukawa also posted other photos, such as those taken inside the Luxembourg Palace of the French Senate.

Other photos she had posted were deleted as well, reported the Japanese media.

In the social media post, Ms Matsukawa said she was in France for a study tour.

“It was very meaningful to exchange opinions with French legislators and government officials on issues such as compulsory early childhood education from the age of three, measures to combat the declining birth rate, and women’s empowerment in politics,” she wrote.

A netizen commented on social media: “What the heck is this pose? It brings tears to my eyes. If you are travelling with your buddies, please go at your own expense.”

Another wrote: “How could she (post such flippant photos) while people are struggling with tax hikes and high prices?”

Apologising in a social media post on July 31, Ms Matsukawa said: “I am sorry that my posts have caused misunderstanding about the training programme, even though it is a serious and substantial one.”

The cost of the trip was covered by the party and each participant paid their own expenses, she added.

During a news conference on Tuesday, LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi said the incident has “undermined the trust of the public and party members”.

“We take the various criticisms sincerely and will strive to restore trust through our activities,” he said.

The news conference, which was held after the party’s board meeting, was attended by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

There is no successor to Ms Matsukawa for the time being, said The Asahi Shimbun newspaper in a report on Tuesday.

Ms Aiko Shimajiri, 58, the deputy chairman of the LDP’s Party Organisation and Campaign Headquarters, will serve as the acting head of the Women’s Affairs Division, said the report.

The Kishida administration is expected to fill Ms Matsukawa’s position during the party’s executive appointments planned for mid-September.

Earlier in August, LDP secretary-general in the Upper Chamber Hiroshige Seko criticised Ms Matsukawa’s act as “imprudent” and gave her a stern warning.