@ The Scoop (October 2025)
The Sunday edition of Shimbun Akahata reported that Fumitake Fujita,
co-leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), had funneled
approximately \20 million in public funds − including party subsidies − to
a company called “Re:Connect Co., Ltd.” run by his own government-appointed
secretary, over the period from 2017 to 2024. The scandal became known as
the “tax money kickback to insiders” affair.
A The “Dog Whistle” Retaliation (October 30)
Dismissing the report as “a malicious and arbitrary article,” Fujita posted
the reporter’s business card on X (formerly Twitter). This act effectively
served as a dog whistle to his followers.
B The Threat (November 5)
Quoting Fujita’s post, a man in his 50s wrote: “Your face is all over the
place − you’d better watch your back, front, and both sides, or you might
get stabbed for getting too cocky.” He was referred to prosecutors on
suspicion of making criminal threats.
C Fujita Denies Responsibility
At a press conference, Fujita stated, “I don’t believe the causal
relationship originates with me,” deflecting responsibility. However, legal
experts argued otherwise: “The doxxing of the business card can only be
seen as having the wrongful purpose of retaliation, intimidation, and a
dog-whistle effect,” and noted it likely constitutes an unlawful act under
Article 709 of the Civil Code − calling for an immediate apology and
deletion of the card image.

