Shotaro Kishida and his father, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, leave the Prime Minister’s office together | Photo: Kyodo

Fumio Kishida will remove his eldest son, Shotaro Kishida, from his administration today as parliamentary sessions move toward a conclusion on June 21.

The resignation follows leaked photographs of Shotaro and some Kishida family members inappropriately posing for photos in official political areas last December. Shotaro was also embroiled in controversy last December when he was reprimanded for abusing government services to purchase souvenirs abroad.  Previous Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Takayoshi Yamamoto, will retake his original position; one which was granted to Shotaro under the normal practice of Japanese hereditary and nepotism politics.

Further, administration changes are commonplace in Kishida’s cabinet. Last year three key positions were replaced in light of heightening concerns in the Taiwan Strait, and just recently four ministers were removed due to a financial scandal.

Given Kishida recently boosted his own domestic popularity with the success of the G-20 talks in Hiroshima and rapprochement with South Korea on the horizon, these combined scandals come at an inopportune time as his public approval rate accelerates. While Shotaro’s exit does not overtly affect Kishida, it will likely play into his misfortune to hold administration integrity – one which Kishida will likely squash. Further, Kishida may progress with an earlier general election and capitalize on his sudden popularity.