Ishiba apologizes for giving out gifts, clouding budget prospects

An LDP member committing corruption?!? How surprising!

Speaking in parliament, Ishiba said he used "pocket money" to hand out gift certificates to 15 lawmakers of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)...

What do any of that lot need more pocket money for? They're all loaded as it is.

While Ishiba said the move was not illegal as it was a personal gift with no political intentions...

Which he gave to politicians.

Speaking in parliament, Ishiba said he used "pocket money" to hand out gift certificates to 15 lawmakers of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) before having dinner with them on March 3 as a "show of appreciation" for their hard work getting elected.

On the one hand, 15x100,000 JPY is really a small amount of money in the grand scheme of things. On the other hand, it is such an obvious no-no, that one has to question Ishiba's common sense.

Wasn’t that bloody stupid!

Interesting. 1.5 million yen is pocket money for the man.

Struggling Japanese citizens will not be pleased. And so the downfall begins.

I blame the Japanese people. The LDP is so scandal riddled that a new scandal by these Muppets is hardly news, AND YET, they keep voting them back in again and again.

More scandalous than the giveaway of cash, which is just normal in Japan's politics, is to call 1.5M yen "pocket money" when half of the population struggles in this economy. It's also annoying that no one gets angry about it.

a move that could hurt his administration's already low approval ratings

they are already at the bottom. it could get worse?

"My action caused distrust and anger among many people,

you realize this only now? btw, it's "actionsssss " PLURAL

> 1.5 million yen is pocket money for the man.

even more so, when it's not his personal money

It is only 100,000 yen per person, or 1.5 million yen in total, so I think it is too much of a fuss. I think that good new recruits nowadays receive much more money only for preparation. In other countries, wouldn't 1.5 million yen never come to light or even be talked about if it was revealed? In the U.S., Elon Musk has donated more than 40 billion yen and is doing something. However, I feel that Ishiba is really living without thinking in an age when politics and money are so sensitive.

Perhaps with good intentions, mistakes were made. Move on people there are more pressing issues such as inflation, low child birth among others which need immediate attention than who gave who what!

It's really ironic that the Ishida government was formed to deal with and irradicate the slush fund scandal, and yet that it is Ishiba himself, who has practiced the slush fund campaign to cosy up to newly elected lawmakers as recent as yesterday.

What did we get last year as a tax break? 30.000 yen only.

He should be replaced immediately by Takaichi.

For the Takaichi fans out there, how well do think she could get along with Trump?

Aly RustomToday  07:55 am JST

I blame the Japanese people. The LDP is so scandal riddled that a new scandal by these Muppets is hardly news, AND YET, they keep voting them back in again and again.

What percentage of the Japanese electorate actually votes for the LDP, though? In a lot of single-seat constituencies LDP candidates are often winning with less than 50% of all the votes.

deanzaZZRToday  01:48 pm JST

For the Takaichi fans out there, how well do think she could get along with Trump?

I wouldn't expect an answer. Their love and admiration for Takaichi is a bit hard to articulate given how little she's ever accomplished.

Someone in the LDP blabbed to the media.

You are not loved Mr Ishiba by your own political Party. They even sent every envelope back unopened (maybe?)

That is a very heavy message they sent you.

BigP

"Someone in the LDP blabbed to the media."

I bet, mind you they are those who love making a name for themselves regardless of the consequences. It's like burning the whole house trying to cook an egg.

who most take advantage of this issue for power struggle are "Abe faction" inside LDP.

But, they are far more dirty about money such as slush fundraising or cherry blossom party than Ishiba, Besides they continue to escape from accountability or fact-finding.

People of Japan deserve better.

Ahhh hihaters. Looks like pitchforks back on menu looters. Shoulda seen it coming huh?

As fer kikdrum sounds.. unserious and crazy, terrible combo.

Speaking in parliament, Ishiba said he used "pocket money"

If this is "pocket money" he is way overpaid.