Tokyo

Japan's Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, was caught dozing off in the parliament where he was re-elected to the position on Monday. Video footage showing him with his eyes closed in the House of Representatives is circulating on social media. Netizens are slamming Ishiba, saying that he was sleeping in the parliament.

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Due to his drowsiness, questions were also raised about his health. But late on Monday, a top spokesman of the government addressed concerns about Ishiba in a news conference, saying that he had been working quite a bit.

“The prime minister has been extremely busy working until late into the night, and I understand that he had a cold today and was taking cold medicine,” Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary, said. 

He clarified that he only had a cold and “there are no problems with his health”.

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A few other lawmakers in the parliament criticised Ishiba for sleeping, saying it shows a lack of urgency. Kyodo News quoted an unidentified lawmaker as saying, “If he was really asleep, that shows his marked lack of tension."

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Hayashi can be seen checking in on Ishiba as he dozed off in the parliament.

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The video showing Ishiba with his head down and eyes closed quickly went viral, with several people slamming him and posting critical comments under the hashtag “#Ishibashushonoinemuri” or “#PMIshibaSnoozing”, The Japan Times reported.

Nobuyuki Baba, leader of the Japan Innovation Party, said he understood Ishiba was tired, but his actions were "inappropriate" on the day.

Meanwhile, Ishiba was confirmed as prime minister in a parliamentary vote on Monday. Earlier, Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito couldn't secure a majority in the recent Lower House election.