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Gifu Prefecture Motosu City Councilor Noriyuki Tsubamoto (77) has been indicted at home for allegedly distributing gift confectionery worth 60,070 yen to 28 voters before an election. Tsubamoto claims it was a 'nuisance fee for the election' and argues that the law prohibiting gift-giving itself is flawed.

City Councilor Tsubamoto Indicted for Alleged Election Law Violation

Gifu Prefecture Motosu City Councilor Noriyuki Tsubamoto (77) has been indicted at home on charges of violating the Public Offices Election Act. According to the indictment, Tsubamoto allegedly distributed gift confectionery totaling 60,070 yen to 28 voters through supporters two weeks before last September's city council election, under the guise of 'nuisance fees for the election'. Tsubamoto responded positively to the indictment, stating it was something he had wished for.

Tsubamoto Challenges 'Law Prohibiting Gift-Giving Itself'

Tsubamoto claims his actions were intended as an apology for 'causing inconvenience to his neighbors'. He stressed that if all gift-giving activities are prohibited, 'neighborhood interactions will become impossible,' and stated he has no sense of guilt regarding his actions. Furthermore, he announced his intention to vigorously argue in court that 'the rule prohibiting gift-giving itself, as a city councilor, is mistaken.'

*Source: YouTube: 日テレNEWS (2026-03-31)*

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