Although Agriculture Minister Arata Takebe (武部 新) listed an election campaign worker as “unpaid” in the 2024 House of Representatives election, an allegation has emerged that he actually paid a photographer ¥860,000. Following reporting based on an investigation by Weekly Bunshun, the matter has been reported as a new suspected violation of the Public Offices Election Act.
An investigation by Weekly Bunshun found that Agriculture Minister Arata Takebe (武部 新), 56, is suspected of purchasing votes from an election campaign worker in the 2024 House of Representatives election. Takebe faced a difficult contest in the election, and his campaign organization is said to have operated primarily through social media.
The report listed zero expenditure for X as an “unpaid campaign worker traveling on top of a vehicle,” but it has been pointed out that there is strong suspicion that compensation was actually paid to this person. The investigation included testimony that X was involved as a central figure in the campaign organization.
The matter could constitute the purchase of votes from a campaign worker in violation of the Public Offices Election Act. The election period lasted 12 days, from the official announcement through the day before voting. Combined with separate reporting concerning public funds and donation issues, the latest allegations have drawn further attention to Takebe.
Bunshun is examining the discrepancy between the entries in Takebe’s election expense report and the actual circumstances, and attention is focused on the campaign office’s future explanation and any rebuttal.