In a recent press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara made clear that he does not intend to return catalog gifts distributed from Prime Minister Suga's office to newly elected members of the House of Representatives from the ruling party. Kihara emphasized that he wishes to utilize these gifts to aid his future activities as a legislator. The Prime Minister had previously described the distribution of these gifts as a gesture of appreciation for the election victories, asserting that they should assist members in their duties as legislators.

Prime Minister Suga had mentioned that the cost of these gifts was covered by political funds from his local party branch in Nara Prefecture, positioning the expenditure as legally compliant with electoral regulations. However, during the same conference, Kihara noted that Suga's previous statements claimed all party members in the House of Representatives received gifts, which he then revised to state that "generally all" received them, acknowledging some complaints from members who did not receive the catalog gifts.

The implications of this situation are notable as it raises questions about the ethical considerations surrounding the distribution of gifts by government officials and the transparency of political funding. As the ruling party continues to navigate these challenges, it may impact public trust and perceptions of fairness within political operations in Japan.