The gifts were intended to support lawmakers’ future activities, according to Takaichi’s explanation.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says she distributed congratulatory gift catalogs to all Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers elected in the February lower-house poll, and emphasizes that no state funds were used.

She notes the total per-person cost, including shipping and tax, was about 30,000 yen (roughly 244 Singapore dollars) and that the funds came from political funds controlled by the Nara branch she leads.

The revelations followed a Shukan Bunshun online report, triggering scrutiny amid public distrust over money and politics and past LDP slush fund scandals.

Context notes that Ishiba faced criticism in 2025 for giving gift vouchers paid with his own money to first-term lower-house members, underscoring ongoing concerns about gifts to lawmakers.

In March of the previous year, Ishiba’s distribution of 100,000-yen vouchers to 15 first-time LDP members sparked cross-party criticism.

Parliamentary grilling is expected as lawmakers seek to probe the gifts and funding amid lingering distrust in money-and-politics matters.

Opposition parties criticize the move, arguing it raises questions about money in politics and could affect upcoming Diet budget deliberations.

The disclosure rekindles memories of the 2023 LDP slush-fund scandal and related political turmoil impacting subsequent elections.

Questioning party funding practices and potential conflicts with electoral norms, the disclosures feed concerns about the LDP’s finances.

The episode recalls a March controversy when then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba distributed 100,000-yen gift vouchers to first-time LDP members, drawing criticism.

Opposition voices, including Junya Ogawa, call for accountability of Takaichi and party leadership and warn the issue could invite renewed scrutiny of funding practices.