Shinjirō Koizumi, a candidate in the LDP leadership race, is facing backlash after reports emerged that his camp orchestrated a campaign to post praising comments online, raising questions about authenticity and voter manipulation.

Revealed: Instructions for Supportive Comments

According to a weekly magazine report, the office of a supporting lawmaker sent emails to other supporters requesting they post favorable comments on a video platform. The emails included suggested phrases praising Koizumi's abilities and disparaging rivals, with one example telling him not to lose to business-fake conservatives.

Silence Sparks Social Media Fury

After the story broke, a senior member of Koizumi's camp largely acknowledged the facts. However, when Koizumi later posted about a public debate on social media, he made no mention of the incident. This omission ignited a firestorm of criticism online, with users accusing him of opinion manipulation, demanding he withdraw from the race, and questioning his trustworthiness.

Candidate's Response: Vows Prevention

At a press conference, Koizimi addressed the issue, stating the emails were sent as a unique judgment by the supporting office in response to inquiries from other supporters. He admitted that some of the example phrases were excessive and inappropriate, promising to ensure this does not happen again as he continues his campaign.