JIP leader Hirofumi Yoshimura speaks to reporters in Osaka’s Chuo Ward, Oct. 20, 2025. (Mainichi/Takehiko Onishi)
OSAKA — The Osaka chapter of Nippon Ishin (the Japan Innovation Party, or JIP) used government-funded party subsidies to pay a company, led by a public secretary of JIP co-leader Fumitake Fujita, for “flyer production costs,” the Mainichi Shimbun learned Nov. 5.
The revelation follows the discovery that the same company received significant sums sourced from taxpayer money for “flyer printing costs” from Fujita’s team.
According to the 2024 party subsidy expenditure report from the JIP Osaka general chapter, approximately 1 million yen (about $6,500) was paid to the company for “flyer production costs.” The Osaka chapter is led by JIP leader and Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura.
In Fujita’s case, it was reported that the secretary received compensation from the company, which was accused of potential kickbacks of taxpayer money. Fujita has since commented, “I sincerely accept the criticism that the structure of ordering from my secretary’s firm in itself raises misunderstandings and doubts,” but maintained that it is “legally appropriate.”
While the Osaka chapter’s expenses are separate from Fujita’s case, the JIP’s publicly proclaimed guiding principle is “self-sacrificing reforms” to cut back on spending on politicians and vested interests. The party, now the coalition partner to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is urged to explain the public funds going to a company so closely associated with it.
Former Osaka mayor and JIP founder Toru Hashimoto expressed doubts, posting on X on Nov. 5, “Just as was expected. This makes one wonder if other Ishin lawmakers are also placing orders. How much gross profit did the company associated with Mr. Fujita generate?”
Yoshimura commented Nov. 5 on the Osaka chapter’s expenses, “I am not aware (of them), but if there is a record, I think there was an order.” He acknowledged there are “no existing rules, and it’s difficult to draw clear lines in this regard,” adding, “There is no hierarchical relationship between the Osaka chapter and Mr. Fujita’s secretary’s company, but since it involves public fund expenditures, even if the transaction was appropriate, it is important to ensure that no external doubts arise. We will consider strict guidelines as Ishin.”
The JIP has internal regulations prohibiting public fund expenditures to relatives within three degrees of kinship. In response to Fujita’s issue, Yoshimura had earlier indicated plans to extend the prohibition to include companies led by politicians themselves or their secretaries.
(Japanese original by Shohei Miyamoto and Tatsuya Naganuma, Osaka City News Department)
AloJapan.com