Reiwa 6 Special (Wa) 47 Public Offices Election Law Violation Case

In January 2025, the Tokyo Summary Court fined former House of Representatives member Manabu Horii for violating the Public Offices Election Act. The special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office had filed a summary indictment against Horii, alleging that during a previous election campaign, he provided condolence money to voters in his constituency. Such donations are strictly prohibited under Japanese election law to prevent vote-buying. Horii accepted the summary order, which resulted in a fine and the suspension of his civil rights. He had already resigned from his parliamentary seat amid the investigation. The case highlighted ongoing concerns over money-in-politics and election integrity in Japan.

Summary order imposing a fine of 1 million yen, along with a suspension of civil rights, effectively ending the defendant's political career.

Whether providing condolence money to constituents constitutes an illegal donation under the Public Offices Election Act, and whether it amounts to an act of vote-buying that undermines the fairness of the electoral process.

The case deepened public distrust in politicians and fueled criticism over lax political ethics within the ruling party. It also prompted calls for stricter campaign finance reforms to restore confidence in Japan's electoral system.