Japan official criticised for piggyback ride over puddle in typhoon-hit town

Shunsuke Mutai being carried across a large puddle of water.

TOKYO: A senior Japanese politician is under fire after getting a piggyback ride across a large puddle while inspecting the deadly aftermath of a typhoon - and joking he could get in trouble for doing it.

Shunsuke Mutai, the parliamentary vice-minister for reconstruction, was visiting the hard-hit northern town of Iwaizumi where 19 people died in the devastating Typhoon Lionrock.