Latest news with #PublicOfficesElectionAct
The Mainichi
a day ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Individuals who spread false info about Hyogo governor candidate referred to prosecutors
KOBE -- Several people involved in spreading multiple false posts on X (formerly Twitter) about Kazumi Inamura, a candidate in last fall's Hyogo gubernatorial election, have been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Act, the Mainichi Shimbun has learned from a source close to the investigation. Hyogo Prefectural Police sent papers on the accused to prosecutors June 20. The opinions attached by the police on the handling of each individual have not been disclosed. The Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office will carefully determine whether criminal responsibility can be pursued. Inamura, former mayor of Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, ran against Motohiko Saito in the November 2024 gubernatorial election, in which the latter was reelected. According to her support group, during the campaign period, false claims were posted on X, such as "Inamura is promoting foreign residents' voting rights." The support group filed a criminal complaint regarding these posts. The prefectural police also sent prosecutors documents the same day accusing unspecified suspects of obstruction of business by deception over the freezing of an X account run by Inamura's support group due to alleged false reports. (Japanese original by Yuta Shibayama and Yuria Kiyama, Kobe Bureau)
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Hyogo Gov. referred to prosecutors over election law violation in west Japan pref.
KOBE -- Hyogo Prefectural Police on June 20 sent documents on Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Act by paying a PR company in return for campaign services during last fall's gubernatorial election, sources close to the matter have revealed to the Mainichi Shimbun. Police also sent prosecutors papers on the 33-year-old female president of the PR company Merchu, who allegedly received payment from Saito's side, on suspicion of receiving bribes under the same law. Authorities have not disclosed their views on how the two should be prosecuted. The Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office will carefully examine whether the two bear criminal responsibility. Shortly after the 47-year-old governor's reelection in November 2024, the PR company president posted online that she had been "entrusted with overall public relations" among other things. Saito's campaign paid the PR company a total of 715,000 yen (about $4,900), and in December 2024, parties including a university professor filed a criminal complaint against the two, claiming the payment constituted compensation for election campaign activities. Saito's side has explained that the payment was for the production of campaign posters and flyers, which are permitted under the election law, and has completely denied any illegality or bribery. (Japanese original by Yuta Shibayama and Yuria Kiyama, Kobe Bureau)
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan Innovation Party lawmaker suspected of unauthorized use of campaigner names in report
OSAKA -- Nippon Ishin (the Japan Innovation Party) lawmaker Kaoru Nishida is suspected of unauthorized use of supporter names in the financial report for his April 2023 Osaka Prefectural Assembly election campaign, the Mainichi Shimbun has learned. Although the report indicated that these supporters received compensation from Nishida's side, some supporters have stated that they did not get paid. Nishida, 58, is now serving his first term as a House of Representatives member after defeating his rivals including a former Komeito lawmaker in the October 2024 general election. Previously, Nishida was a member of the Osaka Prefectural Assembly, where he secured his fifth term in the April 9, 2023, election. The report of his campaign expenses was submitted to the prefectural election administration committee and accepted 12 days after election day. In the report, the expenditure section listed the names of nine supporters, and it indicated that Nishida's camp had paid a total of 790,000 yen (about $5,400) in labor costs on the election day on the grounds that the supporters were employed as office staff or vehicle campaign workers. Receipts were also attached as evidence of the supporters receiving compensation. However, a man in his 50s listed as an office staff member testified, "I helped with some tasks before the campaigning officially started, but I did not work during the campaign period, nor did I receive compensation." He noticed his name in the report around October 2024 and reported it to a Nippon Ishin executive. The man stated that after the election day, Nishida asked him to write his name on a blank receipt. This receipt is believed to have been filled out later by someone else and attached to the report as the man's receipt. A woman in her 80s listed as a vehicle campaign worker explained, "I served tea and applied stickers, but I'm too old to work in a vehicle campaign." She said she did not receive any compensation and was unaware that her name was used. However, around October 2024, Nishida brought her a cash-filled brown envelope, asking her to "keep it." Another woman in her 80s listed as an office staff member said the receipt attached to the report was not in her handwriting. She added, "In the first place, the room number of my home address is incorrect." She also received cash, thought to be compensation, from Nishida around October 2024. The Public Offices Election Act prohibits intentionally making false entries in reports. Nishida's side submitted corrections to the prefectural election administration committee by June 18, stating that there was no expenditure of 790,000 yen to the nine individuals. Upon a Mainichi Shimbun inquiry, they explained, "Volunteers were involved in the report's creation and misunderstood the reference format, leading to the incorrect entries of compensation payments. We recognize there was no accounting issue or illegality. We will strive to prevent such occurrences in the future."
The Mainichi
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
74% in Japan in favor of social media regulations during elections: Mainichi poll
TOKYO -- Seventy-four percent of respondents to a public opinion survey conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun on May 17 and 18 said that legal regulations on social media activities during election periods, such as profit-driven election campaigning or spreading disinformation, "are necessary." Only 14% of those who took the poll said regulations under the Public Offices Election Act "are unnecessary," and 11% said they "aren't sure." Approval for social media regulations during elections exceeded 60% across all age groups. Among those aged 18 to 29, 62% were in favor, compared to over 70% of respondents in their 30s to 50s and more than 80% of those aged 60 and older, showing a trend of increasing support among older generations. By political party affiliation, over 80% of supporters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and Nippon Ishin (the Japan Innovation Party) backed legal regulations. Among supporters of the Democratic Party for the People and Reiwa Shinsengumi, 72% were in favor of such rules. As the influence of the internet grows rapidly, the spread of false information and defamatory content through social media has become a serious issue in elections. In the Hyogo gubernatorial election in November 2024, questionable posts spread rapidly online, raising concerns about problems such as their impact on the election outcome and human rights violations. The online poll was carried out via the "d-Survey" method targeting smartphone users, based on a questionnaire service used by members of NTT Docomo Inc.'s "d Point Club" rewards program. Respondents were randomly selected from around 74 million users aged 18 and above across Japan, and valid responses were obtained from 2,045 people. (Japanese original by Daisuke Nohara, Poll Office)
Japan Forward
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Lee Jae-myung Hit with New Legal Challenges Ahead of South Korea Snap Election
On May 1, South Korea's Supreme Court overturned the acquittal of opposition leader Lee Jae-myung in an election law violation case, remanding it to the Seoul High Court. Lee, a top contender in the June 3 snap presidential election, had been indicted for publishing false information during the 2022 presidential campaign. The case centers on Lee's comments on rezoning the Korea Food Research Institute site in Seongnam City. It also involves his connection to the late Kim Moon-ki, a former deputy director at the Seongnam Urban Development Corporation. Both controversies date back to his tenure as the city's mayor. A district court convicted the opposition leader in November 2024 and handed down a one-year prison sentence with two years' probation. That decision was overturned in March 2025, when the High Court found Lee not guilty. In a 10-2 majority, South Korea's highest court ruled on Thursday that Lee's past remarks did in fact constitute false information. Furthermore, it found that the earlier court had misapplied relevant statutes. The High Court, with a new panel of judges, will rehear the case starting on May 15. While the ruling is unlikely to be finalized before the June vote, the cloud of legal uncertainty undercuts Lee's momentum at a critical moment. Lee Jae-myung and DP members attend the 21st Presidential Election Task Force launching ceremony. (©Park Chan-dae FB) Under South Korean law, candidates who violate the Public Offices Election Act face serious penalties. Those fined more than ₩1 million KRW (approximately $700) are barred from running for office for five years. Receiving a prison sentence can extend the ban to ten years. "Barring any new material evidence, the appellate court will have little choice but to align with the Supreme Court's legal interpretation," said Kang Yong-suk, an attorney and former lawmaker. "Even if Lee seeks another appeal, the Supreme Court will eventually hand down a guilty verdict within six months." Should Lee win the presidential race, a conviction after taking office would force him to step down, Kang said. Some, however, argue that criminal trials and indictments initiated before the inauguration must be suspended during a president's term in office. "Article 84 of South Korea's Constitution bars a sitting president from criminal prosecution during their term, except in cases of insurrection or treason," said Lee Dong-hwan, an attorney experienced in handling criminal cases. "Lee Jae-myung would be no exception." Legal experts remain divided on whether the term prosecution extends to trials already underway before a presidential candidate takes office. At a National Assembly hearing last October, Kim Jung-won, secretary-general of the Constitutional Court, was asked a key question. Lawmakers wanted to know whether a sitting president would lose their position if convicted in a case that began before taking office. He responded, "Legally speaking, it appears to be so." Ultimately, the final interpretation will rest with the nation's Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court. DP lawmakers denounce the recent Supreme Court ruling as a judicial coup and political interference. (©Park Chan-dae FB) Responding to Thursday's decision, Lee Jae-myung stated, "Well, it's a completely different direction from what I what matters most is the will of the people." Despite growing pressure from the ruling party and even some factions within his camp to step down, Lee has vowed to press on with his campaign. His party, which has faced criticism for being seen as the party of Lee Jae-myung, appears largely united in support. On May 2, the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DP) introduced a bill to amend the Criminal Procedure Act. The proposed change would suspend ongoing criminal trials for any individual elected president. This move is widely seen as an attempt to shield Lee should he take office. Beyond the election violation case, the opposition chief is entangled in four other criminal trials on charges ranging from coaching a witness, corruption, and third-party bribery. A conviction in any of these cases could inflict lasting damage on Lee's reputation, leaving his political legacy in tatters. Author: Kenji Yoshida
