PM 'Lady Rocker' Under Fire for Gifting Each MP with IDR 3.2 Million

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is under political pressure after sparking controversy by giving gift catalogues to over 300 members of parliament. The recipients are from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), following their landslide victory in the February 8th general election.

Takaichi acknowledged giving the catalogues in a post on the X platform and before parliament on Wednesday, asserting that no taxpayer money was used. According to her, each gift, including shipping and tax, is worth approximately 30,000 yen (equivalent to about IDR 3.2 million) per legislator.

“We gave these gifts as a form of appreciation for their success in this very difficult election, and we hope they will be useful in their future work as legislators,” Takaichi said in a post on X, as quoted by AFP on Wednesday (February 25, 2026).

She explained that the costs were paid for by the political funds of the LDP branch in Nara Prefecture, which she leads, so she believes the action does not violate Japanese political funding laws. Regulations in the country prohibit individual donations to public candidates, but allow parties and their local branches to make such contributions.

However, this disclosure has sparked strong reactions from the opposition and the public, who are still sensitive to the issue of transparency in political funding.

Junya Ogawa, the opposition leader from the Centrist Reform Alliance, said the news “could easily make people say, ‘Prime Minister Takaichi, you too?’” and insisted that Takaichi should be held strictly accountable for the move.

Japanese media, including Bunshun Online, reported that the gift catalogue came from the well-known retail company Kintetsu Department Store, which provides a catalogue where recipients can choose from a variety of items, ranging from bicycles to premium food or luxury hotel stay packages.

The issue has reminded the Japanese public of the 2023 LDP slush fund scandal that toppled the previous government and weakened support for its successor coalition. Criticism of the use of political gifts is believed to have the potential to impact public trust in the ruling party.