Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba denied accusations of illegal political donations after gifting 100,000 yen ($672) certificates to 15 newly elected Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers. He insisted the gifts were personal and not political contributions, stating, “I paid for them myself.”
Opposition parties claim the act violates the Political Funds Control Act and have called for Ishiba’s resignation. While maintaining there was no legal wrongdoing, Ishiba apologized for the public backlash, saying, “I sincerely regret causing insecurity and anger.”
