Takaichi’s Secretary Submits Statement to Parliament, Denies Smear-Video Allegations

Dragon Media News Desk

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s first secretary has submitted a written statement to parliament denying allegations that he commissioned and distributed videos intended to defame political rivals.

Takaichi submitted the statement from her publicly funded first secretary, Tsuyoshi Kinoshita, to the chairman of the House of Representatives Budget Committee on Wednesday.

In the statement, Kinoshita acknowledged that he had briefly participated in an online meeting with a person alleged to have been involved in producing the disputed videos ahead of last year’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership election.

However, he denied instructing anyone to produce videos attacking other candidates or arranging for such material to be circulated on social media.

Responding to allegations that he had sent emails during the House of Representatives election campaign, commissioned smear videos and thanked their producer, Kinoshita said he had found no such records and had no recollection of such actions.

Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun has published a series of reports since May alleging that Takaichi’s campaign team used artificial intelligence and other digital tools to produce and distribute numerous videos targeting rival candidates.

The magazine cited emails, messages, alleged audio recordings of online meetings and statements from an individual linked to the production of the videos. Takaichi and her secretary have repeatedly denied involvement in producing or distributing the material.

Takaichi had earlier told parliament that there was no connection between her secretary and the person allegedly involved in making the videos.

Opposition lawmakers later questioned that explanation after her office acknowledged that the secretary had briefly attended an online meeting involving the individual.

On June 22, Takaichi told parliament that her secretary would submit a written statement within days. Opposition parties criticised the response after the statement was delivered nearly a month later.

Akira Nagatsuma, a lawmaker from the Centrist Reform Alliance, said the written explanation was insufficient and renewed his demand that the secretary be summoned to parliament for direct questioning.

He also called for special deliberations by the lower house Budget Committee to examine the allegations in greater detail.

Opposition parties said further clarification was needed regarding the online meeting, possible email exchanges and contact with the alleged video producer, despite the secretary’s denial that he had commissioned or distributed the material.

The government side has maintained that the secretary’s statement rejects the central allegations. No immediate decision has been announced on whether he will be summoned before a parliamentary committee or whether a formal investigation will be launched.

The controversy has intensified debate in Japan over election transparency, the regulation of artificial intelligence in political campaigning and the accountability of campaign organisations.

The available allegations and denials have not yet established the full facts of the case. The role, if any, of Takaichi’s campaign team may become clearer only through direct parliamentary testimony or an independent investigation.