Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's office allegedly distributed gifts worth tens of thousands of yen (hundreds of thousands of won) to newly elected Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers in the House of Representatives.
Kyodo News reported on the 24th that "staff from Prime Minister Takaichi's office visited LDP lawmakers' offices individually, distributing 'catalog gifts' worth tens of thousands of yen under the pretext of congratulations."
Catalog gifts are booklet-style product catalogs that allow recipients to select and receive their preferred items. Kyodo News reported that by evening, at least four House members or their office staff had acknowledged receiving the gifts. The wrapping paper reportedly read "Congratulations, Sanae Takaichi," and the contents were valued at approximately 30,000 yen (about 278,000 won).
The LDP was rocked by a faction-centered "slush fund scandal" in 2023. Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also faced criticism last March for distributing gift certificates worth 100,000 yen (about 930,000 won) per person to first-term House members. With Prime Minister Takaichi now potentially embroiled in political funding issues, voices of discontent are emerging within the LDP, Kyodo News reported.
Prime Minister Takaichi led the LDP to a landslide victory in the recent general election and maintains high approval ratings in the 60-70% range. However, if negative public sentiment over the gift distribution spreads, political damage appears inevitable.