Head of LDP’s Women’s Affairs Division resigns after backlash over merely 6 hours of work in 5-day business trip in Paris

7 comments

1. The title of the previous thread is so misleading so here’s the whole picture:

   The 38 members of the group, led by Senator Rui Matsukawa, spent six hours working during their five-day stay. The work included a guided tour of the French Senate, a visit to a nursery school, and participation in a lecture. **The members included the senator’s fourth-grade daughter.**

   Here’s the schedule, the ones in bold is actual working time:

   [Liberal Democratic Party Women’s Affairs Bureau France training July 24]

   * 6:00: Meet at Haneda Airport
   * 16:15 (Paris time): Arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport
   * 18:00: Arrive at hotel
   * 19:00: Dinner and formation ceremony (meat dishes)

   [Liberal Democratic Party Women’s Affairs Bureau France training July 25]

   * 7am: Breakfast
   * 9:00: Departure from the hotel
   * **10am-11am: Ministry of National Education and Youth**
   * 11:45: Lunch (fish dishes)
   * **13:00-14:00: Meeting with the National Assembly (lower house)**
   * **14:30-15:30: Meeting with the National Assembly (Senate)**
   * **15:30-16:30: Senate Guided Tour**
   * 17:00-17:30: City tour (Eiffel Tower)
   * 17:30-: Free time
   * 20:30~: Seine River dinner cruise
   * 23:45: Arrive at hotel

   [Liberal Democratic Party Women’s Affairs Bureau France training July 26]

   * 7am: breakfast
   * 8:45 am: Departure from the hotel
   * 9:30-: Free time
   * 10:10: Group photo in front of the Louvre Pyramid
   * 10:40-12:50: Free time
   * 13:00-14:00: Lunch
   * **14:40-15:40: Lecture by CNAF Laurent n Ortalda**
   * **16:00-17:00: Lecture by Junko Takasaki**
   * 18:00~: Aperitif hosted by the Japanese Embassy in France
   * 19:00-21:00: Dinner with Makita Shimokawa, Ambassador of Japan to France
   * 21:45: Arrive at hotel

   [Liberal Democratic Party Women’s Affairs Bureau France training July 27-28]

   * 7am: breakfast
   * 8:50 am: Departure from the hotel
   * 9:50am – 12:15pm: Free time after taking photos at the Opera House
   * 12:30-14:20: Lunch and closing ceremony (meat dishes)
   * 15:30: Charles de Gaulle Airport
   * 19:00: Departure from Charles de Gaulle Airport

2. Something something Japan is sexist or something and I didn’t even read the article.

   ~ Average /r/japannews poster

3. As a business person, I read this as 22 hours over 3 working days. Do you think that dinners, lunches and even breakfasts are not for discussing business, embassy meetings and events are not relationship building ?
   Do you think that a trip for 35 government employees hasn’t been vetted at least a year in advance?

4. Why is this a big deal? Was this unapproved travel? Looks like a standard business trip itinerary to me.

5. [deleted]

6. Are there separate male/female ministers for having affairs?

7. She resigned after some criticism? Unless she completely ignored their detailed itinerary schedule and went on her own little holiday, why resign!? Then again, if she can’t take a bit of heat, maybe she’s not right for the job… damn.