Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi publicly apologized this week after her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chapter admitted accepting corporate donations exceeding legal limits, reigniting scrutiny of the ruling party's financial practices. The revelation comes two years after the LDP's 2023 slush fund scandal first exposed systemic irregularities in political fundraising.
Violation Details Emerge
At a December 9 House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting, Takaichi confirmed her Nara Prefecture chapter received 10 million yen ($64,400) from a Tokyo-based company in August 2024 – 2.5 million yen above legal limits for such donors. The excess amount has since been returned, according to Nikkei reports.
Legal Challenges Mount
The apology follows a December 4 criminal complaint filed by Kobe Gakuin University professor Hiroshi Kamiwaki, who accused Takaichi's chapter of violating political funds laws. This case adds to ongoing investigations into LDP factions allegedly creating off-the-books funds through unrecorded ticket sales for fundraising events.
Scandal's Persistent Shadow
Seven officials appointed by Takaichi since her October 2025 cabinet formation have been linked to the original 2023 scandal. Political analysts note the repeated controversies have eroded public trust, with critics arguing the Prime Minister's response demonstrates insufficient commitment to systemic reform.
As Japan prepares for key economic policy decisions in early 2026, observers warn the lingering financial ethics crisis could impact both domestic governance and international investor confidence in Asia's second-largest economy.
