Sanae Takaichi, Japan's Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has faced scrutiny after her office distributed catalog gifts to over 300 members of the House of Representatives who were successful in the recent elections. This action, presented as a token of celebration for their victory, comes amidst growing concerns over political ethics and financial propriety in the wake of previous scandals involving the LDP, particularly those related to gift-giving practices. Multiple LDP members have confirmed receiving the gifts at the Prime Minister's office in the National Diet, with one member estimating the value at approximately 30,000 yen.

In a message on social media, Prime Minister Takaichi explained that the gifts were meant to express appreciation for the challenges faced during their recent election campaign. She emphasized that she did not use any party funding for this distribution, although critics remain skeptical of her claims. The context is particularly sensitive given the backdrop of previous incidents, notably involving former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who faced backlash after his office distributed significant gift vouchers to newly elected members, leading to public apologies and the return of the gifts.

As allegations of corruption and unethical practices continue to plague the LDP, the timing of Takaichi's gift distribution has intensified criticism from opposition parties. Lawmakers are questioning her administration's commitment to addressing the 'politics and money' issue within Japanese politics, and the recent gift-giving incident is likely to bolster these concerns. With the LDP already under scrutiny due to previous leadership lapses, Takaichi's actions could have serious implications for her political standing and future governance.