Tokyo: A leader in the Japanese leadership competition was forced to apologize on Friday as his campaign drowns out a popular live streaming platform and comes with likable comments.
Shinjiro Koizumi has usually ranked first in the polls in the five-way competition in the Democratic Party (LDP) and Japan’s fifth prime minister for many years.
The 44-year-old’s victory will represent a generational change for the most important Money Democratic Party in a long time, as it can win voters after a series of scandals and poor election results.
But, tabloid magazine Shukan Bunshun Reports said an aide urged other members of his campaign and supporters to post compliments on Niconico, a popular video sharing site.
“I was told that this email was to spur my support, but some comments called examples were too far away and didn’t meet the rules,” Koizumi said.
Posted at Dawn on September 27, 2025
