Sanae Takashi reportedly distributed gifts worth tens of thousands of yen to Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers

On the 24th, Kyodo News, citing multiple sources, reported that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi distributed gifts worth tens of thousands of yen to Liberal Democratic Party members elected in the House of Representatives election, claiming it was a “congratulations” gesture. This move has sparked widespread public controversy.

According to reports, after the House of Representatives election on the 8th, staff from Takaichi’s office visited the offices of elected lawmakers one by one to distribute the gifts. The gift wrapping was inscribed with congratulatory messages and signed “Sanae Takaichi,” with some gifts valued at about 30,000 yen.

Japan’s Political Funds Control Law strictly regulates donations to political candidates for political activities. Whether Takaichi’s actions violate relevant laws has become a major point of debate. Professor Hiroshi Shiratori of Hosei University pointed out that Takaichi has a responsibility to explain the purpose of the gift distribution and the source of the funds. However, prior to this, her personal moral standards had already been questioned; amid the seemingly resolved “black money” scandal, this move is inevitably seen as a sign of complacency and arrogance by the Liberal Democratic Party following their increased seats in the House of Representatives.

Kyodo News also noted that opposition parties are likely to criticize Takaichi over this issue, which could also impact her plans to pass the 2026 fiscal year budget by the end of March.

At the end of 2023, the Liberal Democratic Party was exposed for a “black money” scandal, with some faction leaders demanding their affiliated lawmakers sell political fundraising party tickets according to quotas, and return the excess as “kickbacks.” These funds were not recorded in political fund reports, becoming unregulated secret funds. After Takaichi became Prime Minister in October 2025, she appointed several politicians involved in the “black money” scandal to key government positions. She was also prosecuted in December of the same year for illegally accepting corporate political donations, sparking strong public discontent in Japan. (Xinhua)