Japan Clears LDP Politician Yamaguchi in SNS Campaign Case, June 19

Tokushima District Prosecutors closed a case against Liberal Democratic Party politician Shun Yamaguchi on June 19, finding insufficient evidence that a paid SNS management contract violated Japan’s election law. Yamaguchi’s campaign paid 1.5 million yen to a Komatsushima company for social media work during the 2024 House election. Lawyers had argued the payment constituted illegal vote-buying under the Public Offices Election Act.

What Prosecutors Found

The Tokushima District Prosecutors determined that the SNS work contracted by Yamaguchi’s campaign did not qualify as election activity. Prosecutors stated they could not confirm the company’s social media management met the legal definition of campaigning. This finding removed the basis for proving vote-buying or bribery charges under the Public Offices Election Act.

The Original Complaint

Lawyers filed a criminal complaint in March 2025 against Yamaguchi’s office director, campaign finance manager, and the company president who received the contract. The complaint alleged that paying 1.5 million yen for SNS management during the October 2024 election violated the prohibition on vote-buying. The prosecutors’ decision means no charges will be filed against any of the three people.

Yamaguchi’s Other Work

On June 19, Yamaguchi posted on social media about his role as head of a parliamentary league promoting new uses for post offices. He stated he worked with lawmakers across party lines to maintain and improve postal services in rural areas. The post made no mention of the prosecutors’ decision on the SNS case.

Final Thoughts

Japan’s prosecutors closed the SNS campaign case without charges, ruling that paid social media work did not meet the legal threshold for election activity. The decision leaves open questions about how digital campaign practices fit within Japan’s strict election law framework.

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