A new Chabad opened in Kyoto, but there has been some sort of Chabad there for some time I think. Without getting too political, how does it work that Chabad does or doesn't officially recognize a shaloch as being "official"? Is it about paperwork or is there something more fundemental? Should one be more concerned about kasharus from an unofficial Chabad vs an official Chabad?
Official Chabad Houses are listed here:
https://www.chabad.org/centersUnofficial ones don't open with permission from the local head shliach and/or Chabad HQ, anyone can just open one.
Sometimes Chabad Houses might be unofficial due to a falling out with the local head shliach over a myriad of other reasons.
Other times unofficial ones are runs by outspoken meshichists with yellow moshiach flags, yechi signs, etc. While perhaps misguided, there is plenty of halachic basis for those beliefs that have been hashed over in other threads and I wouldn't have a problem eating their food. Though I'd still ask them some basic kashrus questions to make sure they're not a total farce who opened up shop.
When AJK and I were in Japan we ate at a felafel restaurant run by Rabbi Edery, the "yellow flag" unofficial Chabad in Tokyo. Another diner asked where we would be for Shabbos, by the regular Chabad House or the 2 scoops Chabad House?
We asked, "2 scoops?"
To which he responded, you know like the 2 scoops of Raisins in Raisin Bran? Well Rabbi Edery runs the 2 scoops of moshiach yellow flag Chabad House in Tokyo.