Prime Minister Takaichi denies involvement in defamatory video and 'Sanae Token', emphasizes public trust

Prime Minister Takaichi denies involvement in defamatory video and 'Sanae Token', emphasizes public trust In a post on X on the 21st, Prime Minister Takaichi denied suspicions that her secretary had requested the creation of a video defaming other candidates, and denied involvement in the cryptocurrency 'Sanae Token' that uses her name and likeness. She explained that over more than 30 years of political activity she has advocated policies without criticizing other candidates, and quoted former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the Analects to emphasize the importance of 'public trust'. 1

LDP asks lawmakers for desired posts in survey, laying groundwork for Prime Minister Takaichi's first cabinet reshuffle Prime Minister Takaichi has begun coordination to carry out her first cabinet reshuffle and party executive appointments from mid-to-late next month. The LDP started a 'desired post survey' on the 20th for House of Representatives members elected at least twice. They can list up to their fifth choice for ministerial or party posts, with a deadline of the 25th. The focus is on whether Secretary-General Suzuki will remain in his post, and there is also a plan to bring a member of Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) into the cabinet. 2

DPFP leadership election officially announced, one-on-one race between Tamaki and Hashimoto The Democratic Party for the People's leadership election was officially announced on the 22nd, resulting in a one-on-one race between incumbent leader Yuichiro Tamaki and House of Representatives member Motohiko Hashimoto. Hashimoto advocates 'separating the party leader and the prime ministerial candidate' (sō-sō bunri), while Tamaki appeals for 'three years of preparation for government.' Voting and counting will take place at an extraordinary party convention on September 6. 3

Yuko Obuchi voices objection to 1% consumption tax cut, reveals details behind resignation from LDP tax panel inner circle As the government decided on a policy to reduce the consumption tax on food and beverages from 8% to 1% for two years starting in April 2027, former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yuko Obuchi, who resigned from the LDP's tax research commission inner circle, said, 'Considering the efforts of our predecessors, one should not casually call for a consumption tax cut.' She reportedly raised objections within the inner circle, but no one opposed her, so she offered to resign. 4

Tobu Railway accident killing 4: investigation into poor coordination among multiple companies In the accident in which four workers were hit and killed by a limited express train on the Tobu Nikko Line in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, it has been learned that the 10 workers involved were gathered from multiple companies, including the prime contractor. One of the relay lookouts said, 'We were not in a state where we could communicate with the train lookouts,' and the prefectural police are investigating the possibility of poor coordination. 5

Male Constitutional Democratic Party member impersonates fictional woman using AI on X; party admonishes It has been learned that a male member of the Constitutional Democratic Party in Tochigi Prefecture used an AI-generated fictional woman named 'Riho Nakamura' to pose as a real party member and continued political activities on X. The party criticized this as 'distorting democracy' and requested that the party name be removed from the account. The account has been suspended. 6

Woman, 46, arrested for attempted murder of acquaintance with poisonous muffins On the 21st, Kyoto Prefectural Police arrested Kana Fujiki (46), a temporary staffing agency worker, on suspicion of attempting to kill an acquaintance by having him eat Western confectionery laced with a poisonous substance through an uninformed third party. The man was hospitalized temporarily but has been discharged, and his life is not in danger. The suspect denies the charge, saying, 'I did not intend to kill him.' 7

Chinese ocean research vessel leaves EEZ off Kumejima; coast guard had demanded halt The 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters announced on the 21st that the Chinese ocean research vessel 'Dongfang Hong 2' (East Red 2), which had been extending a wire-like object into the sea in the EEZ off Kumejima Island, Okinawa Prefecture, left the area around 5:20 p.m. The coast guard had demanded that the research be halted, viewing it as marine research without consent. Similar activity by another research vessel has also been confirmed off Hateruma Island. 8

Microbus carrying female kendo club members rear-ended in 6-vehicle accident; 11 injured On the afternoon of the 21st, on the Nagasaki Expressway in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, a six-vehicle accident occurred involving a microbus carrying female kendo club members from Shonan High School in Kagoshima City, injuring 11 people, one seriously. The microbus was rear-ended by a following vehicle while returning from a tournament. 9

New Osaka High Public Prosecutors Office chief prosecutor Ito takes office, vows to 'deal strictly' with scandals Eiji Ito (59), who took office as the new chief prosecutor of the Osaka High Public Prosecutors Office, held an inauguration press conference on the 21st and said regarding the prosecution service, which has seen a series of scandals, 'We will sincerely accept the public's stern gaze and act with a high sense of ethics.' Regarding the response to the sexual assault case involving a former chief prosecutor, he said, 'From the perspective of the independence of the judiciary, a careful response is necessary.' 10