Key Facts
• November 4: Fujita held a press conference in the National Diet.
• Over ¥200 million spent on a company led by Fujita’s secretary since 2017.
• Communist Party reported ¥196.5 million originated from public funds.
• Fujita denied receiving any personal donations from the company or secretary.
• Fujita emphasized the legality of the transactions and refused to resign.
• Ishin leader Yoshimura supported Fujita, calling the transactions legitimate.
• Yoshimura announced a new party rule banning payments to companies led by secretaries.
• Communist Party criticized Fujita’s explanation as unconvincing.
• Fujita pledged to stop future transactions with the company.
Summary
Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), addressed allegations of improper public fund use during a November 4 press conference. Reports revealed over ¥200 million was paid to a company led by his secretary, with ¥196.5 million sourced from public funds. Fujita denied any personal financial gain and defended the legality of the transactions, refusing to resign. Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura supported Fujita, describing the payments as legitimate and announcing a new rule to prohibit such transactions in the future. The Communist Party criticized Fujita’s explanation as lacking credibility. Fujita pledged to avoid similar transactions moving forward.
