A Long-Standing Practice
The practice of Japanese prime ministers handing out gift vouchers to newly elected members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) dates back at least a decade. This tradition reportedly began after Shinzo Abe led the LDP back to power in 2012.
Several LDP politicians have confirmed receiving gift certificates worth around 100,000 yen ($670) from Prime Ministers Abe, Shigeru Ishiba, and Fumio Kishida. These vouchers were typically distributed during social gatherings or meals held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence.
In 2013, Prime Minister Abe held four luncheon meetings with first-time LDP Lower House members at his official residence. These meetings were attended by then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.
During a parliamentary session in March 2023, opposition party members questioned Prime Minister Ishiba about the practice of handing out gift vouchers. Ishiba acknowledged hearing about the tradition but stated that he could not confirm its existence due to a lack of personal knowledge.
Opposition members urged Ishiba to investigate how successive prime ministers have distributed these vouchers. However, Ishiba declined to commit to such an investigation, stating that the LDP would make an appropriate judgment on the matter.