Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba¡¯s political standing is becoming increasingly precarious following a recent fumble that has led to a second revision of the budget for fiscal 2025 and revelations that his office handed out gift vouchers worth ?100,000 ($674) each to 15 Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers earlier this month.
A week that began with Ishiba apologizing in parliament for his indecisiveness over a cap on medical co-payments ended with him apologizing again in the same venue, this time for a lack of consideration behind recent gifts that could be in violation of the political funds law.
¡°I deeply apologize for causing discomfort to many people and for raising suspicions about politics,¡± Ishiba told the Upper House Budget Committee Friday afternoon.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.