Cabinet minister denies violating election law

Japan's Reconstruction Minister Akiba Kenya has refuted a report that he allegedly violated the election law during the Lower House election campaign in October last year.

Online magazine Friday Digital reported on Wednesday that Akiba provided remuneration to his state-paid secretaries for assistance during his campaign. In addition, it said that his election expenditure report included costs for distribution of leaflets, which is also not allowed.

Akiba explained in a news conference on Friday that the secretaries had worked as staff on a campaign vehicle, which he said is legally permitted. He stressed that payment for the work is not illegal.

Akiba also said that his office distributed the organ of the Liberal Democratic Party before the campaign period.

But the receipts for it were dated during the campaign, so the costs were included in the expenditure report by mistake. He said that the errors have been corrected.

Akiba said the article is based on misunderstanding of facts, and that he will continue to provide explanations sincerely. He said he will humbly listen to peoples' opinions and fulfill his duties.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221125_18/