Japanese cabinet ministers' appearance in an official photo last week, with some looking slightly disheveled, led to photo manipulation by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's office. The altered photo sparked a debate on the high dress code standards in Japan. This incident is part of a global trend where public figures allow photos to be altered. The alteration backfired, drawing attention to the ministers' fashion faux pas. Critics saw it as a lack of transparency, while others accepted it as necessary for presenting a clean image. The practice of editing photos for official purposes is not uncommon in Japan, with past instances of alterations being revealed. The incident has stirred discussion on the balance between presenting a polished image and maintaining transparency in politics.