Japanese lawmakers see red over minister Midori Matsushima's scarf

Japan's upper house of parliament, often called the chamber of wisdom, has been rocked by a dress-code row after a minister appeared sporting a red scarf.

Justice Minister Midori Matsushima wore the stole when she attended a plenary session on Wednesday, prompting complaints from opposition lawmakers. Decades-old rules ban the wearing of hats, coats or scarves in deliberation chambers and committee rooms.

A ruckus over the alleged sartorial misstep even helped prevent the house from sitting for 20 minutes on Thursday morning, while committee members debated the definition of "scarf".

NHK viewers expecting to watch lawmakers at work were shown the empty chamber before the broadcaster switched to filler footage of tropical fish swimming around a reef.

Matsushima, a former journalist known for her outspokenness and traditionalist views, said she had not broken any rules, and was "surprised" that her clothing choice had been called into question. "A scarf is simply part of my outfit," she said. "It's an ordinary fashion item for an ordinary woman."

The row had particular piquancy for fellow upper house member Antonio Inoki, an ex-wrestler known for his outsized chin and trademark red scarf. He has apparently refrained from wearing his scarf in the chamber in deference to the rules.