Society

Education minister visits 'sexy yoga' studio by official car

Apr 25 (Japan Today) - Education minister Yoshimasa Hayashi has used an official ministry car to visit a "sexy yoga" studio in Tokyo, a weekly magazine said Tuesday, in another apparent scandal to hit the government.

The weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported in its online edition that Hayashi went to the studio -- where a female instructor gives a private yoga lesson and then oil massage to a customer in a compartment -- in the capital's Ebisu district on the afternoon of April 16 and spent two hours there.

The 57-year-old minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology has told a person close to him that he went there for "better health," a source said.

But Hayashi also said the visit was something "that could invite misunderstanding concerning the distinction between private and public matters," according to the source.

On the use of official cars, the education ministry says their use is primarily for smooth execution of official duties.

As for Hayashi's use of the official car to visit the studio, the ministry believes it did not run counter to regulations as Hayashi went there in between public duties.

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