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July 12, 2026
 

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POLITICAL FUNDS

Koichi Hagiuda, one of the five leading figures of a now-defunct faction once led by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe mired in a slush fund scandal, is regaining power within the party.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2026
Power struggle unfolding among ex-Abe faction members
Those who were considered to be the five leading figures of the faction, which was at the center of the LDP’s slush fund scandal, have regained power under Takaichi.
A government building that houses the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office and the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2026
Tokyo prosecutor suspected of having inappropriate relationship
The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office released a statement saying that it is investigating the 48-year-old prosecutor.
Former lawmaker Yasutada Ono apologizes during a news conference following a court ruling in the LDP slush fund scandal, on Tuesday in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 23, 2026
Ex-lawmaker Ono found partly not guilty over slush fund scandal
Yasutada Ono of the LDP was handed down a fine of ¥600,000 after prosecutors had originally demanded ¥1.5 million.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks in parliament in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 25, 2026
Scrutiny of Takaichi’s gift catalogs for LDP lawmakers could delay budget debate
The prime minister said she gave gift catalogs to 315 lawmakers to celebrate their election on Feb. 8, saying she believes the move is above board.
A child cycles past posters of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and a candidate running for the upcoming Lower House election, in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 7, 2026
Momentum for political reform stalling in Japan
Momentum for political reform in Japan is faltering as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sidesteps the topic in her campaigning for Sunday’s vote.
Voters listen to a stump speech in the city of Hachioji, in western Tokyo, on Jan. 29.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 4, 2026
LDP executive seeks to leave slush fund scandal behind
Koichi Hagiuda was among the five leading figures of the now-defunct LDP faction once led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which was at the center of the scandal.
Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda (left) and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 30, 2026
Takaichi reportedly hid Unification Church’s fundraiser ticket purchases
The purchases contradict Takaichi’s past denial of financial ties to the controversial religious group, according to a magazine.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (center) prior to a Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2026
Political appointees urged to forgo fundraising events
The move appears to be aimed at underscoring Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s stance on addressing concerns over the issue of politics and money.
A Liberal Democratic Party faction's fundraising party in May 2023
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 19, 2026
LDP to lift election penalty on members involved in slush fund scandal
The LDP will allow these members to be listed on the party’s proportional representation lists while running for constituency seats.
The Unification Church’s headquarters in Seoul
JAPAN
Jan 2, 2026
Unification Church reportedly backed 290 LDP lawmakers in 2021 poll
The figure compares with the Liberal Democratic Party’s announcement in 2022 that 180 of its lawmakers had ties with the group.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responds to questions from Shinji Morimoto of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan at the Upper House on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 12, 2025
Takaichi mulling ministers’ fundraising rule change
The existing ministerial code of conduct lacks concrete standards to stop ministers from holding large fundraising parties, the prime minister says.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a party leaders' debate at the Upper House in Tokyo on Nov. 26.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 5, 2025
Takaichi earned most among Japanese party leaders in 2024
Takaichi had ¥255.37 million in revenue last year, a sharp increase from ¥100.1 million the previous year.
Lawmakers discuss the issue of political donations during a Lower House special committee on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 5, 2025
Japan’s political parties still apart over donation reform bills
Opposition parties criticized the political reform bills, with a Komeito lawmaker calling one of them “totally unacceptable.”
Ruling and opposition lawmakers deliberate on bills related to political donations reform at a House of Representatives committee session in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 4, 2025
Japan’s parliament starts debates on corporate donation reform bills
Some have speculated that the ruling side is putting the bills on the back burner.
The appointment of seven scandal-hit lawmakers to government posts, approved after the launch of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet, may draw criticism.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 23, 2025
Seven LDP slush fund lawmakers given government posts
The move may draw criticism, as public sentiment on the scandal remains strong.
Komeito chief representative Tetsuo Saito speaks during a debate with leaders of other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo in July. His party exited the ruling coalition with the ruling-LDP after 26 years, citing concerns over political donations and transparency.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 17, 2025
Is Komeito’s split with the LDP really about political funding?
Was Komeito negotiating in good faith or looking to undermine the Takaichi administration before it even commenced?
Ichiro Ozawa (left), leader of the Liberal Party, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi (center) and Takenori Kanzaki, leader of Komeito, hold hands ahead of a three-party summit toward forming a coalition government, at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo in October 1999.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 11, 2025
LDP-Komeito coalition marked by twists and turns over 26 years
The two parties have been in a mutually dependent relationship centered on electoral cooperation.
LDP leader Sanae Takaichi and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito attend a party leaders' meeting on Friday in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 10, 2025
Takaichi’s PM bid faces further headwinds with coalition split
Komeito’s decision to end the 26-year partnership with the LDP means the ruling party will need to court opposition parties to vote Takaichi in as prime minister.
Komeito Secretary-General Makoto Nishida (left), LDP political reform chief Kisaburo Tokai (center) and CDP political reform chief Hiroshi Ogushi attend a meeting on political reform at the Diet on Sept. 25.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 30, 2025
Momentum for political reform wanes in Japan
Responses to the key unresolved issue of political donations from corporations and other organizations will test all political parties’ commitment to reform.
Former Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Hakubun Shimomura had sought to resume kickbacks from party fundraising revenues, according to the testimony of a former faction accountant to the Tokyo District Court on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 26, 2025
Shimomura asked for resumption of kickbacks, LDP ex-accountant testifies
The former LDP policy chief suggested that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had agreed to resume the practice, former Abe faction accountant Junichiro Matsumoto said.
China’s demand for Soviet-style apartments shows limits to revival
Apartments built during a Soviet Union-inspired construction drive in the 1970s and 1980s tend to suffer from poor insulation and outdated plumbing, but they are seeing a revival in interest due to their attractive locations.
Japanese scientists identify neural mechanism that may explain why we dislike people
The aggressive mouse (left) used in the experiment and a mouse defending itself
Japanese payment processor’s collapse hits banks and restaurants
Zentoshin served around 200,000 shops, many of which rely on early payments to maintain cash flow, raising concerns over their financial stability following the disruption.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
Lenders seek $700 million after Japanese payments firm’s collapse
The financial failure of Osaka-based Zentoshin has left 63 creditors with claims totaling ¥115.16 billion, according to Tokyo Shoko Research.
Japan’s largest exhibition of women photographers rights a wrong in cultural history
Miwa Yanagi’s “Elevator Girl House” series skewers the superficiality of gender roles through staged images.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
‘Princess Mononoke’ comes alive in Super Kabuki staging
The “Princess Mononoke” adaptation was created under Shochiku’s Super Kabuki initiative, a modern form of kabuki with more technology in staging and open to pop culture collaborations.
The beating heart inside ‘Human Vapor’
Different forms of love and connection form the emotional backbone of Netflix’s “Human Vapor,” says actor Shun Oguri, who plays troubled detective Kenji Okamoto.
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Born on social media platforms in 2022, Opanchu Usagi has become a major hit, especially among Generation Z.

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