Agriculture minister Takebe to return donations from four public-works contractors
Agriculture Minister Arata Takebe said on November 6 that he would return donations received from four public-works contractors during the 2014 and 2021 lower-house elections to avoid public suspicion about politics. He denied violating election law after experts cited by Shukan Bunshun raised concerns, but acknowledged insufficient checks on whether donors held public-works contracts. He is reviewing past political funding reports and said similar cases would be addressed, including through refunds.