Overview
- An X analysis found 649,000 posts on prices and the consumption tax leading election discourse, ahead of foreigner policy (450,000) and the Unification Church (444,000), with activity spiking after a rookie LDP candidate’s remark was read by some as implying a possible 12% tax rate.
- Parties report struggling to counter AI-generated fake videos and other falsehoods circulating on social platforms during the campaign.
- Osaka Prefectural Police arrested four men linked to the scout group “Truss” on suspicion of unlawful introductions to sex-industry venues, with investigators estimating around ¥100 million in proceeds.
- At his first hearing on Feb. 2, Osaka police deputy inspector Akio Kusakawa admitted charges of leaking third-party bank information and obtaining a former partner’s family register using false documents.
- Centrist Reform Union co-leader Yoshihiko Noda criticized the government over the prospect of dissolving without passing the record ¥122 trillion budget, arguing relief should reach households quickly.