Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faced scrutiny yesterday after arriving nearly an hour late to the G20 summit in Johannesburg, where leaders from the world's largest economies gathered to discuss global economic challenges. Video footage showed Takaichi entering the venue after other heads of state had already taken their seats for the November 22 session.
In a social media post later that day, the prime minister attributed her delayed arrival to spending "several hours" selecting an outfit she believed would "project dignity and cultural pride." The statement drew mixed reactions online, with some Japanese netizens criticizing the prioritization of appearance over diplomatic punctuality.
Political analysts note the incident comes amid heightened attention to Japan's international engagements this year, particularly as the country navigates complex economic partnerships across Asia. The G20 summit continues through November 24, with discussions expected to address regional supply chain resilience and sustainable development goals.
