On Tuesday, December 9, Prime Minister and LDP President Sanae Takaichi stood before the House Budget Committee and issued a formal apology after her local LDP chapter in Nara Prefecture accepted a corporate donation that exceeded Japan's legal limit. The chapter, which she represents, received 10 million yen from a Tokyo-based company on August 26, 2024—2.5 million yen more than the 7.5 million yen cap set by the political funds control law.
Takaichi expressed deep regret for the violation and confirmed that her chapter has already returned the excess amount. The apology follows a complaint filed on December 4 by Kobe Gakuin University Professor Hiroshi Kamiwaki, who urged prosecutors to investigate the breach of campaign finance rules.
This incident compounds a broader slush fund scandal within the ruling LDP, first exposed in 2023. Investigations revealed that some party factions instructed members to sell fundraising party tickets beyond their quotas without reporting the full proceeds, then funneled the surplus back to lawmakers as off-the-books kickbacks.
Among the senior officials Takaichi appointed after taking office in October, seven have been linked to the scandal. Critics argue that her measured response and the presence of implicated allies in key posts signal only modest efforts toward root-and-branch reform.
In Japan's tightly regulated political finance system, transparency is crucial for public trust. Experts say that repeated breaches risk eroding faith among young voters and international observers at a time when Japan is seeking to bolster its reputation as a stable, reliable democracy.
Looking ahead, prosecutors will decide whether to launch a formal investigation. For Takaichi, the way she manages this crisis could define her leadership and impact the LDP's standing in future elections.
How can Japan strengthen political accountability and restore public confidence? Share your thoughts on the role of transparent campaign finance in modern democracies.
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Japanese PM apologizes for accepting excess corporate donations
cgtn.com
