Photo/Illutration Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin), the junior coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Co-leader Fumitake Fujita of the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin) announced he will stop outsourcing work to a company headed by his aide, following media reports alleging that public funds were being funneled to it.

The decision came in response to an Oct. 29 article in the online edition of Akahata, the official newspaper of the Japanese Communist Party.

The story said that between 2017 and 2024, Fujita’s office spent about 20 million yen ($130,000) on flier and poster printing services from a Hyogo Prefecture-based company led by his publicly funded secretary.

The report alleged that most of the payments were made using public funds designated for activities including research and public relations. It also noted that the aide received an annual salary of 7.2 million yen from the company.

In a video posted to his YouTube channel on Nov. 2, Fujita reiterated that the contracts were legal, citing confirmation from his lawyer. The Lower House member explained that the company had been selected for its expertise and efficiency.

However, he acknowledged public concern over the arrangement.

“I take seriously the criticism that the arrangement itself may invite misunderstanding or suspicion,” he said.

Fujita pledged to offer more details during a news conference he scheduled for Nov. 4.

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