Scandal-ridden ex-farm minister handed out free headbands at election rally
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Former Japanese farm minister Kazuo Yana distributed free headbands during a campaign kickoff ceremony in his constituency for the Fe
Former Japanese Farm Minister Kazuo Yana allegedly distributed free headbands during a campaign rally in Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture, before the February 2021 general election, potentially violating election law, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The headbands, featuring the phrase "assured victory" in Japanese, were ordered and prepared by Yana's office.
Several hundred attendees received the headbands, but they were never collected afterward. Yana's office maintains that the headbands did not constitute gifts prohibited under the election law, pending further investigation by prosecutors. This incident follows Yana's resignation from his ministerial role last October, amid allegations of providing free shuttle bus rides to supporters during previous elections.
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