Japan PM's aide 'scolded by mother' for standing with hands in pockets during official US trip

Seiji Kihara, an official who works as an aide to the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida has apologised after being scolded by his mother for standing with his hands in his pockets during an official trip to the USA.

A video of Kihara surfaced online where he can be seen standing in the background as PM Kishida briefs the media in Washington D.C.

Kihara faced backlash from social media users for his supposedly casual posture during a formal briefing.

The aide revealed in a YouTube political commentary video appearance that his mother scolded him over the phone after reading comments about how he was "disgracing his parents" by standing with his hands in his pockets.

According to Kihara, his mother was "ashamed" of him and suggested that he "sew up his pockets".

Also Watch: Elon Musk scolded by his mother on Twitter!

In the video, Kihara is seen standing with his hands in his pockets, looking on as the prime minister speaks. Then realising that he is on camera, Kihara adjusts his pants and then folds his hands in front of him.

Defending his actions, Kihara in his YouTube appearance said that he is someone who walks with his hands in his pockets and during that particular instance he was actually listening intently to the prime minister so that he could come up with the best way to convey the US-Japan summit.

Kihara would not have been scolded by his mother nor would he have faced backlash online if newspaper Asahi Shimbun had not posted the clip of the PM's briefing on its Twitter.

In Japan, it is considered rude or impolite in certain social or professional situations to stand in a casual manner as Kihara was.

The incident in question occurred on January 13, 2023 during the Japanese Prime Minister's visit to USA as part of a five-country trip to Europe and North America.