Japan PM Suga under fire for year-end dinners as coronavirus cases mount

FILE PHOTO: Yoshihide Suga, Japan's prime minister, speaks during a joint news conference with Scott Morrison, Australia's prime minister at Suga's official residence in Tokyo, Japan November 17, 2020. Kiyoshi Ota/Pool via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has drawn criticism for joining end of year social gatherings after imploring residents to avoid such parties as the country sees record numbers of coronavirus cases.

Despite his own public warnings against large group meals, Suga went ahead with a series of get-togethers this week, stirring up criticism from politicians and social media users, including his party's coalition partner.