A very misunderstood attitude. Seiji Kihara, a close friend of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, apologized after being filmed with his hands in his pants pockets on January 13 during a trip to the United States, reports the guardian.
The deputy’s attitude had sparked strong criticism on Japanese social networks but also from his own mother. The latter said “to be ashamed” of him, in the words of the politician.
Invited to “sew his pockets” by his mother
It was on Youtube, in an informal discussion, that the deputy secretary general of Fumio Kishida’s cabinet shared this episode. He explains that his mother called him in a rage after reading comments that Seiji Kihara was “disgracing his family”.
He expressed his “shame” and invited his son to “sew his pockets” so as not to be tempted to put his hands in them, shares the deputy.
After his apologies, Seiji Kihara explained that his attitude was not linked to a lack of respect towards the Prime Minister who was speaking before him.
He said that he is “the type that puts his hands in his pockets when he walks”, although in the video he is immobile and his posture allows him to better concentrate on what Fumio Kishida is saying. In a humorous tone, the politician also used diplomatic reasons to justify his attitude.
“I thought of the best way to express the friendly relations between Japan and the United States at the summit,” he said.
A stance perceived as impolite in Japan. Seiji Kihara is not the first politician to draw the ire of the web for putting his hands in his pockets. The gesture, considered inappropriate in certain official and professional contexts, had earned much criticism from the governor of the Tokyo metropolis, Yuriko Koike, in 2019.
After presenting the gold medal to the winner of the Tokyo Marathon, the Ethiopian Birhanu Legese, he had put his hands in the pocket of his parka while it was raining.
“Lady Yuriko Koike […] Don’t you think it’s rude to put your hand in your pocket after giving the medal?” one user asked rhetorically.
His attitude then contrasted with that of the runner, who kept his arms close to his body and without an umbrella despite the downpours.
Source: BFM TV
