Japan's consumer affairs minister is getting a licking online after comments critics say amount to victim-blaming in relation to a known pyramid scheme company suspected of using its chairman's invitation to the 2015 sakura party hosted by the prime minister to promote its business. Healthcare product rental firm Japan Life Co. printed marketing pamphlets that included images of the invitation and a photo of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with catch copy emphasizing the invite to the annual cherry blossom viewing party -- a government-funded event. At a Nov. 29 news conference, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and ... (full story)