Hey everyone! 🇯🇵 On December 4, 2025, a criminal complaint was filed against Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi—yes, that’s right—over an alleged over-the-limit political donation.
The complaint comes from Hiroshi Kamiwaki, a constitutional law professor at Kobe Gakuin University. He says the local LDP chapter in Nara Prefecture, linked to Takaichi, accepted 10 million yen from a single company last August—well above the 7.5 million yen cap under Japan’s Political Funds Control Law.
Not far behind, on December 3, another complaint targeted an LDP chapter in Kanagawa Prefecture led by Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi for taking the same-sized donation from a firm, also busting the 7.5 million yen limit.
This isn’t a one-off. It adds to a bigger slush fund scandal first exposed in 2023, where some LDP factions allegedly sold fundraising tickets beyond quotas and funneled the extra cash back to lawmakers as off-the-books kickbacks.
Since becoming PM in October this year, Takaichi has appointed seven senior officials tied to this scandal—critics say her vague stance hints she may not push for major reforms. 🚩
For young leaders and voters across Asia, this case is another reminder of why transparency and accountability in politics matter now more than ever. Stay tuned for updates and keep the conversation going! 💬
Reference(s):
Complaint filed against Takaichi for alleged illegal receipt of funds
cgtn.com
