Refund of donations, correction of income and expenditure report in response to reports of alleged violation of the Public Offices Election Act - Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Takebe

New Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Takebe spoke to reporters at the ministry on the afternoon of the 21st, and regarding a weekly magazine report that claimed that the company had received donations during elections from companies that received public works contracts, he said, ``When we received the donations, we were not aware that we were receiving public works contracts.We confirmed this today, returned the funds, and corrected the political funds balance report.'' Regarding other reported issues, including allegations of voter bribery, he denied, saying, ``I am not aware of any violation of the Public Offices Election Act.''

Bunshun Online reported that the Liberal Democratic Party's Hokkaido 12th constituency branch, which Takebe represents, received donations from local companies that undertake national public works projects on the day the 2024 House of Representatives election was announced. Takebe explained that there was a ``missing confirmation'' regarding whether the donating companies had received public works orders.

Furthermore, when Bunshun Online pointed out a violation of the Public Elections Act by paying a cameraman who played a role equivalent to that of a campaign worker, Mr. Takebe denied that his activities were part of a campaign, saying, ``I had the photographer take pictures for the purpose of recording the activities of the Liberal Democratic Party.''