Overview
- Political finance records show about ¥64.74 million moved from the LDP’s Nara 2nd District branch led by Sanae Takaichi to her across seven Lower House campaigns since 2005, accounting for over 80% of her election income in those races.
- Her prior Diet assertion that donations to the branch were not donations to her is being criticized as inconsistent with the documented transfers, following earlier reporting on an over-limit corporate gift to the same branch.
- Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki and conveyed he will work to reduce the island’s U.S. base burden, acknowledging the concentration of facilities there.
- Hamas aide Muhammad Nazar said in a Doha interview that the group retains the capacity to continue resistance and is cautious about disarming as the Gaza cease-fire nears three months.
- In regional developments, Fukui’s gubernatorial election opened with three newcomers after the previous governor resigned over sexual harassment allegations, and a bus stranded on a Hokkaido level crossing halted 27 trains without injuries.