Key Facts
• November 4: Fumitake Fujita held a press conference denying ¥2 million public fund misuse.
• 2017–2024: ¥21 million spent on design/printing services from a company led by his secretary.
• November 8: Fujita apologized on live TV for his aggressive tone during the press conference.
• Fujita claimed the funds were “orders, not misuse,” and denied any legal violations.
• He revealed frustration due to media intrusion at his secretary’s home.
• Fujita publicized a journalist’s business card on social media, refusing to delete it despite criticism.
• He argued the journalist’s outlet, Shimbun Akahata, is not a legitimate media organization.
• Fujita stated Shimbun Akahata uses articles as political attacks, not journalism.
• The controversy was discussed on the live show Teach Me! News Live Justice’s Ally on November 8.
Summary
Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, faced allegations of misusing ¥21 million in public funds for services from a company led by his secretary. He denied any wrongdoing, claiming the transactions were legitimate. During a November 4 press conference, Fujita adopted an aggressive tone, which he later apologized for on live TV on November 8, citing frustration over media intrusion at his secretary’s home. Despite apologizing for his behavior, Fujita refused to retract his decision to publicize a journalist’s business card on social media, arguing that the journalist’s outlet, Shimbun Akahata, is not a legitimate media organization but a political tool. The controversy and his statements were discussed on the live show Teach Me! News Live Justice’s Ally. Fujita remains firm in his stance against the outlet’s reporting practices.
