TOKYO: Belt-tightening in Japan’s diplomatic service is cutting the quality of canapes on offer abroad, the foreign ministry has said, leading to fears Tokyo is losing the battle of the buffets to Beijing.
Diplomats in Tokyo say China appears to be ramping up its spending on its missions while Japanese diplomats are being forced to scrimp, the ministry said.
Allowances for embassy bashes have dropped 40 percent over the last decade, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told a parliamentary committee earlier this month.
Foreign guests invited to mark occasions such as the Emperor’s birthday have noted the second-rate sake and substandard snacks, Kishida said.
One diplomat reportedly complained the Middle East mission where he worked had been unable to afford to serve the popular shrimp tempura, and this had turned off invitees.
In contrast, Chinese missions appear to be hosting ever-more lavish receptions.
Another diplomat sai that a Japanese embassy in a western African country “is located in a multi-tenant building, and when you go down from your floor, shoe-shiners approach you”.
“In contrast, China has nice premises... and when I was there a few years ago it was constructing a brand new building,” he added.
However, a senior official at a government agency handling economic affairs dismissed the complaints.
China overtook Japan as the world’s second-largest economy in 2010 and has embarked on a diplomatic charm offensive in many parts of the world as it looks to open up markets for its goods.
Despite the downsizing, Japan remains one of the world’s largest donors of foreign aid and prides itself on having a positive reputation abroad.
AFP
