Breaking Own Rules, Japanese PM Suga Is Criticized For Dinner Party

JAKARTA - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has drawn criticism for attending a year-end dinner party, even though he asked the public to avoid such social gatherings because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Out of his own rules, Suga attended a series of meetings this week, sparking comments from politicians and social media users, including from his party coalition.

Japanese Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is also in charge of pandemic policy, defended Suga by telling parliament on Wednesday that there were no rules against eating together.

Earlier on Tuesday, December 15 evening, Government Spokesman Katsunobu Kato said that Suga had taken the necessary precautions before attending the event.

"It is important to make individual decisions, based on balancing the goals of eating together with infection control measures," said Kato at a regular press conference.

Last Monday, December 14, Suga joined six other senior officials in the party in a meeting at an upscale steakhouse in the Ginza district of Tokyo. All these officials are over 70 years of age.

When leaving the restaurant, Ryotaro Sugi - a 76-year-old actor and singer - told journalists that the event was a "year-end party," and they were talking about baseball.

Liberal Democrat Party Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai, who was also present, said that the dinner guests certainly removed their masks to eat, but they were considered to be quite careful.

The day after, Suga met with Haruyuki Takahashi, an executive officer on the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee, as well as two chief executives from a local television network, at a steakhouse, local media reported.