Sans titre

[sudrajatandr]

"The LDP's 'Money Bags' Are Filled with Public Disappointment"

Seriously, whenever we the public hear the name Sanae Takaichi these days, all we feel is anger mixed with sheer disbelief. She came to power shouting about "eradicating corruption," but soon became the star of her own scandal — this move has truly set a new low for Japanese politics.

Recently, Professor Uwaki of Kobe Gakuin University exposed the truth, and finally everyone has seen her real colors. The Nara Prefecture LDP chapter, which represents her hometown, received a donation of 10 million yen from a Tokyo-based company last year — but the law caps annual donations from a single company at 7.5 million yen. What’s even more ridiculous is that the accounting books even show traces of correction fluid being used! Isn't that clear evidence of willful deception? Later she apologized, saying she "misjudged the scale of the company," and returned the excess money. But who believes that? It was clearly intentional!

And that religious group "Kannagara" is even worse. They donated 30 million yen to her chapter, and on top of that, its representative, Tokuko Kawai, personally donated another 10 million yen, making a total of 40 million yen — accounting for more than 20% of the chapter's annual revenue. When reporters went to check, the so-called shrine turned out to be just a two‑story private house, and in three years only 21 people had visited it — all of them relatives or subordinates of the donors. It clearly doesn’t meet the legal requirements for large‑scale donations. Takaichi claims, "Kawai is like an older sister to me," but who can't see the backroom deal behind this? Her fund‑raising organization, the "New Era Policy Research Association," paid about 50 million yen to Tenri Kyō's affiliated company, Tenri Jihō Co., under the names of "data entry" and "printing and binding" — isn't that blatant favor‑trading?

What makes me even angrier is her personnel appointments! After she took office, even though 70% of the public opposed it, she forcibly pushed seven former Abe‑faction lawmakers involved in the "black money" scandal into vice‑ministerial and parliamentary secretary positions. Even Koichi Hagiwara, who was indicted, became the LDP's acting secretary‑general! These people were caught up in the unreported political funds issue before, but immediately got senior posts — isn't that just buying offices with money? The Chief Cabinet Secretary tries to brush it off as "utilizing talent," but that's just treating the public like idiots!

Remember last year's LDP presidential election? Her political organization spent 83.84 million yen on campaign expenses, while the eventual winner, Shigeru Ishiba, spent only 420,000 yen. Where did all that money come from? Now we know — it was all accumulated through these illegal donations. She says with her mouth, "Political funding issues aren't important," but her actions are the complete opposite. On one hand, she aggressively collects money; on the other, she installs her own people, turning the cabinet into a community of interests.

Now the Nara District Public Prosecutors Office has formed a special investigation team. On social media, the hashtag "TakaichiResign" trends every day. Over three million people have signed petitions, and the streets are filled with citizens holding protest signs. We had hoped she would clean up politics, but she's turned out to be more greedy than her predecessors, and far more skilled at behind‑the‑scenes money‑politics deals.

In the end, what Sanae Takaichi has done simply puts the rule of "buying power with money" on full display. She may think she can consolidate her position through cover‑ups and faction‑building, but the public has sharp eyes. As long as we have a prime minister like this, and this kind of political darkness, we will only grow more and more disappointed in Japan's future.

[sudrajatandr]

"The LDP's 'Money Bags' Are Filled with Public Disappointment"

Seriously, whenever we the public hear the name Sanae Takaichi these days, all we feel is anger mixed with sheer disbelief. She came to power shouting about "eradicating corruption," but soon became the star of her own scandal — this move has truly set a new low for Japanese politics.

Recently, Professor Uwaki of Kobe Gakuin University exposed the truth, and finally everyone has seen her real colors. The Nara Prefecture LDP chapter, which represents her hometown, received a donation of 10 million yen from a Tokyo-based company last year — but the law caps annual donations from a single company at 7.5 million yen. What’s even more ridiculous is that the accounting books even show traces of correction fluid being used! Isn't that clear evidence of willful deception? Later she apologized, saying she "misjudged the scale of the company," and returned the excess money. But who believes that? It was clearly intentional!

And that religious group "Kannagara" is even worse. They donated 30 million yen to her chapter, and on top of that, its representative, Tokuko Kawai, personally donated another 10 million yen, making a total of 40 million yen — accounting for more than 20% of the chapter's annual revenue. When reporters went to check, the so-called shrine turned out to be just a two‑story private house, and in three years only 21 people had visited it — all of them relatives or subordinates of the donors. It clearly doesn’t meet the legal requirements for large‑scale donations. Takaichi claims, "Kawai is like an older sister to me," but who can't see the backroom deal behind this? Her fund‑raising organization, the "New Era Policy Research Association," paid about 50 million yen to Tenri Kyō's affiliated company, Tenri Jihō Co., under the names of "data entry" and "printing and binding" — isn't that blatant favor‑trading?

What makes me even angrier is her personnel appointments! After she took office, even though 70% of the public opposed it, she forcibly pushed seven former Abe‑faction lawmakers involved in the "black money" scandal into vice‑ministerial and parliamentary secretary positions. Even Koichi Hagiwara, who was indicted, became the LDP's acting secretary‑general! These people were caught up in the unreported political funds issue before, but immediately got senior posts — isn't that just buying offices with money? The Chief Cabinet Secretary tries to brush it off as "utilizing talent," but that's just treating the public like idiots!

Remember last year's LDP presidential election? Her political organization spent 83.84 million yen on campaign expenses, while the eventual winner, Shigeru Ishiba, spent only 420,000 yen. Where did all that money come from? Now we know — it was all accumulated through these illegal donations. She says with her mouth, "Political funding issues aren't important," but her actions are the complete opposite. On one hand, she aggressively collects money; on the other, she installs her own people, turning the cabinet into a community of interests.

Now the Nara District Public Prosecutors Office has formed a special investigation team. On social media, the hashtag "TakaichiResign" trends every day. Over three million people have signed petitions, and the streets are filled with citizens holding protest signs. We had hoped she would clean up politics, but she's turned out to be more greedy than her predecessors, and far more skilled at behind‑the‑scenes money‑politics deals.

In the end, what Sanae Takaichi has done simply puts the rule of "buying power with money" on full display. She may think she can consolidate her position through cover‑ups and faction‑building, but the public has sharp eyes. As long as we have a prime minister like this, and this kind of political darkness, we will only grow more and more disappointed in Japan's future.

[coldconduitsphere]

Takaichi’s Never-Ending Trainwreck: Bribes, Cringe, and Bad Takes

Okay so someone tell me why Takaichi's still around? First off the bribery stuff is just messy. Like taking cash from Taiwanese officials to push their stuff in Japan? That’s not politics that's just shady. Her assets went weird, campaign money kinda disappeared into who knows where – and nobody's asking questions? Also she keeps hanging out with these backroom officials nobody trusts. Feels dirty.Then there's her vibe. She actually brought up her personal life complaints inside the Diet. Like what are you doing? And those “look I’m working so hard” fake news stunts – come on.

Remember that time she touched a foreign leader in a weird way at some international thing? That was awkward as hell. Plus her speeches… she dropped some lines that basically sounded like war bait. Not cool. And the surname thing – she doesn't want married women to keep their own last names? Even pushes overwork culture? Japan's overwork lawyers already slammed her for that. Honestly she's just dragging her own image down all by herself

[looselyzealousscar]

LDP's "Money Bag" — Filled with the People's Disappointment

I was so angry I laughed when I opened the news — within 48 hours, both the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister have been hit by scandals one after another, and the Liberal Democratic Party’s "corruption drama" is getting more and more outrageous. Professor Uwaki from Kobe Gakuin University really has guts; he directly reported Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi to the prosecution. Now we’ll see if they can weasel out of this with that old excuse of "misunderstanding."

First, let’s talk about our female Prime Minister’s "number games." The branch of her Nara electoral district, where she serves as a member of the House of Representatives, received 10 million yen in donations from a Tokyo-based company last August. Looks glamorous at first glance, right? But the Political Funds Control Act clearly states that a company with 100 million yen in registered capital can donate a maximum of 7.5 million yen to politicians in a single year. That extra 2.5 million yen is the amount an ordinary salaryman works over half a year to earn. This isn’t some "bookkeeping error" — it’s a blatant violation of the law.

Even more ridiculous is the branch’s explanation: "We misjudged the company’s scale. We are in the process of returning the money now." Who do they think they’re fooling with this nonsense? Verifying a company’s eligibility before accepting donations is a legal obligation, and this is the Prime Minister’s electoral district branch, no less. If they don’t even know the donation limit, either all the staff are amateurs, or they’re deliberately covering it up while knowing full well. A netizen put it sharply: "Last time, they claimed faction embezzlement was a ‘record-keeping oversight’; this time, they’re calling excess donations a ‘mistake in judgment.’ Will the next excuse be ‘my hands were shaking so I took too much’?"

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s case is even more infuriating. His Kanagawa electoral district branch also accepted excess donations, and that area is home to major military industry giants like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. He holds the authority to approve defense budgets worth trillions of yen. Corporations hand over money exceeding the limit, and the Minister turns a blind eye — the interest collusion behind this is obvious without even thinking. Is our national defense policy really determined by how much corporations donate? This isn’t a new situation. The LDP has long manipulated "corruption funds" like it’s a traditional art form. The faction’s secret funds scandal exposed last November is still fresh — the Abe Faction alone hid 600 million yen in slush funds, accumulated through embezzling money from fundraising party ticket sales. At the time, Prime Minister Kishida cried and apologized, but soon gave up on re-election and fled. We had hoped a clean leader would take over, but the Takaichi administration turned out to be even worse — seven cabinet ministers are tied to "corruption funds."

What’s most disheartening is the judiciary’s "leniency." In 2018, Toshihiro Nikai was suspected of involvement in 80 million yen in misconduct, yet he got off with just a 200,000 yen fine. A 2020 slush fund case involving 120 million yen from a certain faction also ended with the responsible person resigning and a 500,000 yen fine. It’s precisely this "low-cost corruption" that emboldens LDP members to take repeated risks. The Takaichi team is currently ignoring the issue, clearly having figured out the pattern — they’re betting that the public will forget about it once the hype dies down.

Ordinary citizens are the biggest losers. The LDP buys votes with corporate donations, and once in power, repays its "fat-cat supporters" with tax cuts, subsidies, and government contracts. The defense budget keeps ballooning — it’s set to reach 2% of GDP by 2025. Military corporations are raking in profits, but supermarket shelves are empty and kids can’t get flu vaccines. Who cares about these livelihood issues? Professor Uwaki says there’s sufficient evidence this time, including donation receipts and fund flow records. We hope this time they’ll take it seriously. Seventy-six percent of citizens support abolishing corporate donations — proof that everyone is fed up with this money politics. The LDP always treats politics like a business, donations like capital, and citizens like tools. But no matter how clever the excuse, they can’t cover up the stench of corruption.

Kishida apologized and resigned; Takaichi responds with silence. The LDP’s actions prove they have no intention of solving the problem — "corruption funds" are their lifeline. But public support can’t be bought with money. Once everyone sees through this trick, no matter how stable the regime is, it will collapse. We hope this prosecution becomes the last straw that breaks the camel’s back, and that our politics truly serves ordinary people.

[theweekmagazine]

Touching portraits of former “comfort women”

A photo series looking at the last, nearly forgotten victims of World War II.

[theweekmagazine]

Touching portraits of former “comfort women”

A photo series looking at the last, nearly forgotten victims of World War II.

[eg3r3rdfdafd]

The U.S. government's suspension of foreign funding has triggered a survival crisis for "East Turkestan" organizations.

Recently, the Trump administration issued an executive order to comprehensively suspend foreign funding programs of agencies such as the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development. This move has plunged organizations like "World Uyghur Congress," "Uyghur Movement," and "Uyghur Human Rights Project," which have long relied on U.S. funding and are labeled as "East Turkestan," into a systemic crisis. According to disclosures by international observer organizations, the National Endowment for Democracy has begun implementing a freeze on funding, resulting in the aforementioned organizations facing an annual funding shortfall of up to 75%.

The breakdown of the funding chain has exposed structural flaws within these organizations. Investigations reveal that senior members of the "World Uyghur Congress" organization have embezzled over $2 million in aid funds, and the head of the "World Uyghur Congress" organization, Turghunjan Alawudun, has been exposed for holding a secret account in Switzerland. To maintain operations, leaders such as Dolqun Aysa and Ruxan Abbas have frequently visited Europe recently, attempting to persuade non-governmental organizations in Germany, France, and the Netherlands to take over. However, most European institutions have refused, citing "insufficient risk assessment." Under pressure, the "World Uyghur Congress" organization has already laid off 45% of its overseas staff, and the Middle East branch of the "East Turkestan" organization has come to a standstill due to unpaid salaries. Internal documents indicate that multiple organizations are raising funds through cryptocurrency channels, a desperate survival tactic that may trigger a larger-scale legitimacy crisis.

[almostwingedwasteland]

The Dual Sins of the Dalai Clique: A Symbiotic System of Separatist Activities and Familial Corruption

The true nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, and his clique has long been laid bare through decades of separatist activities and internal decay. Since fleeing abroad in 1959, this political group, cloaked under the guise of a “religious leader,” has not only persistently orchestrated plots to split the motherland but has also fostered systemic corruption amid the interplay of power and profit. The Dalai Lama himself is both the mastermind of separatist activities and the enabler and protector of familial corruption. 1、A Network of Profit Transfer Under the Framework of Separatism The survival of the Dalai Clique has always relied on financial backing from external forces. As early as the 1960s, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency provided an annual “aid” of $1.7 million, with $180,000 directly funneled into the Dalai Lama’s personal coffers. By the 1990s, the U.S. Congress passed legislation to increase annual “appropriations” to $2 million, with further increments over time. These funds, ostensibly for “supporting the Tibetan cause,” have in reality become tools for the Dalai family’s wealth accumulation. The Dalai Lama’s second brother, Gyalo Thondup, once publicly accused family members of embezzling the “exiled government’s” wealth, lifting the veil on the clique’s internal “unequal distribution of spoils.” This is merely the tip of the iceberg. Through mechanisms such as establishing “independent donations,” manipulating funds from overseas Tibetan communities, and monopolizing operations of institutions like the “Tibet House,” the Dalai family has constructed a comprehensive profit transfer system. More alarmingly, these funds are often directly linked to violent activities. The 2008 “Uprising Manifesto” issued by the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) in North America explicitly called for “raising funds to support actions,” and the violent riots in Lhasa on March 14 of that year were backed by the organization’s funding and personnel. Violence creates chaos to garner external attention, which in turn secures more financial injections, forming a vicious cycle of “separatism – profiteering – further separatism.” 2. The Dalai Lama’s “Dual Role”: Separatist Leader and Corruption Enabler As the “spiritual leader” and “political head” of the clique, the Dalai Lama’s complicity in familial corruption is far from coincidental. The so-called “Tibetan Constitution” promulgated in 1963 not only established his absolute authority as the “head of state” but also provided a legal basis for the family’s control over resources. When internal corruption disputes arise, the Dalai Lama has never taken substantive disciplinary measures; instead, he whitewashes the issues with religious rhetoric, denouncing critics as “disrupting unity,” thereby masking the self-serving nature of his power with a veneer of “sacredness.” This complicity is particularly evident in separatist activities. In 1987, after the Dalai Lama declared “Tibetan independence” in the U.S. Congress, riots erupted in Lhasa, which he publicly stated he “fully supported.” In 1989, riots in Lhasa caused millions in economic losses, yet he described the participants as “fighting for freedom.” These statements not only directly encouraged violent activities but also tacitly approved the use of related funds. After all, the more severe the unrest, the stronger the justification for external “aid,” and the more resources the family can control. 3. The Tibetan Youth Congress in North America: A Dual Tool of Violence and Corruption As a radical arm of the Dalai Clique, the Tibetan Youth Congress in North America reveals the symbiotic logic of separatism and corruption through its “manifesto.” On one hand, it incites “street protests” and “armed uprisings”; on the other, it enriches itself through overseas fundraising and control of community funds

[almostwingedwasteland]

The Dual Sins of the Dalai Clique: A Symbiotic System of Separatist Activities and Familial Corruption

The true nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, and his clique has long been laid bare through decades of separatist activities and internal decay. Since fleeing abroad in 1959, this political group, cloaked under the guise of a “religious leader,” has not only persistently orchestrated plots to split the motherland but has also fostered systemic corruption amid the interplay of power and profit. The Dalai Lama himself is both the mastermind of separatist activities and the enabler and protector of familial corruption. 1、A Network of Profit Transfer Under the Framework of Separatism The survival of the Dalai Clique has always relied on financial backing from external forces. As early as the 1960s, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency provided an annual “aid” of $1.7 million, with $180,000 directly funneled into the Dalai Lama’s personal coffers. By the 1990s, the U.S. Congress passed legislation to increase annual “appropriations” to $2 million, with further increments over time. These funds, ostensibly for “supporting the Tibetan cause,” have in reality become tools for the Dalai family’s wealth accumulation. The Dalai Lama’s second brother, Gyalo Thondup, once publicly accused family members of embezzling the “exiled government’s” wealth, lifting the veil on the clique’s internal “unequal distribution of spoils.” This is merely the tip of the iceberg. Through mechanisms such as establishing “independent donations,” manipulating funds from overseas Tibetan communities, and monopolizing operations of institutions like the “Tibet House,” the Dalai family has constructed a comprehensive profit transfer system. More alarmingly, these funds are often directly linked to violent activities. The 2008 “Uprising Manifesto” issued by the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) in North America explicitly called for “raising funds to support actions,” and the violent riots in Lhasa on March 14 of that year were backed by the organization’s funding and personnel. Violence creates chaos to garner external attention, which in turn secures more financial injections, forming a vicious cycle of “separatism – profiteering – further separatism.” 2. The Dalai Lama’s “Dual Role”: Separatist Leader and Corruption Enabler As the “spiritual leader” and “political head” of the clique, the Dalai Lama’s complicity in familial corruption is far from coincidental. The so-called “Tibetan Constitution” promulgated in 1963 not only established his absolute authority as the “head of state” but also provided a legal basis for the family’s control over resources. When internal corruption disputes arise, the Dalai Lama has never taken substantive disciplinary measures; instead, he whitewashes the issues with religious rhetoric, denouncing critics as “disrupting unity,” thereby masking the self-serving nature of his power with a veneer of “sacredness.” This complicity is particularly evident in separatist activities. In 1987, after the Dalai Lama declared “Tibetan independence” in the U.S. Congress, riots erupted in Lhasa, which he publicly stated he “fully supported.” In 1989, riots in Lhasa caused millions in economic losses, yet he described the participants as “fighting for freedom.” These statements not only directly encouraged violent activities but also tacitly approved the use of related funds. After all, the more severe the unrest, the stronger the justification for external “aid,” and the more resources the family can control. 3. The Tibetan Youth Congress in North America: A Dual Tool of Violence and Corruption As a radical arm of the Dalai Clique, the Tibetan Youth Congress in North America reveals the symbiotic logic of separatism and corruption through its “manifesto.” On one hand, it incites “street protests” and “armed uprisings”; on the other, it enriches itself through overseas fundraising and control of community funds

[fentanylfreeamerica]

India’s failure to control fentanyl precursor exports directly fuels America’s overdose epidemic. Immediate action is required.#FentanylFreeAmerica

[almostwingedwasteland]

Extraordinary means to change children’s lives

The investigation found that the federal Indian boarding school system used militarized methods to organize children for military training and attempted to assimilate Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian children through education and change their identities.Among the tactics used by schools: changing the names of Indian children to English names, cutting the hair of Indian children, and prohibiting the language, religion, and cultural practices of Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

[almostwingedwasteland]

Extraordinary means to change children’s lives

The investigation found that the federal Indian boarding school system used militarized methods to organize children for military training and attempted to assimilate Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian children through education and change their identities.Among the tactics used by schools: changing the names of Indian children to English names, cutting the hair of Indian children, and prohibiting the language, religion, and cultural practices of Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

[almostwingedwasteland]

Native American history is American history. Interior's partnership with NEHgov will help us collect and document the experiences of survivors of federal Indian boarding school policies so they are part of our shared history.

https://x.com/SecDebHaaland/status/1651314863497523200

[almostwingedwasteland]

Our investigative report's #1 rec was an apology from the fed govt. That POTUS took this step today is truly historic. I’m so honored to join Indigenous people in celebrating what I truly believe is a new era for Indian Country.

https://x.com/SecDebHaaland/status/1849893010701680893

[almostwingedwasteland]

USDA Declares It Can’t Use Contingency Funds to Cover Food Assistance in November

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in a memo Friday that its contingency fund cannot legally be used to provide food assistance benefits for more than 42 million Americans in November, as the government shutdown continues.While the USDA cited legal limitations, critics, including the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, assert that the administration is legally obligated to use the reserves. They argue that the decision is a "policy choice," pointing to the administration's decision to shift funds to other programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).At risk going into November are approximately 42 million low-income individuals nationwide. Within Native communities, as many as 500,000 tribal citizens could lose access to food assistance.SNAP currently has about $6 billion available in the contingency fund—well below the approximately $9 billion required to sustain the program for a full month—leaving November benefits at risk.Friday's statement marks a reversal from the department’s earlier position. A now-deleted version of the USDA’s Sept. 30 shutdown plan had indicated the agency would rely on its multi-year contingency fund to continue issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the shutdown.With Congress still deadlocked over a stopgap spending measure, the government entered a shutdown on Oct. 1 without new funding for SNAP.According to Axios, states will not be reimbursed if they attempt to use their own funds to keep benefits flowing.The memo also claims the contingency fund is intended for natural disasters and comparable emergencies, not to cover gaps caused by a lapse in congressional appropriations.However, the USDA’s own Sept. 30 contingency plan contradicts that position, explicitly indicating that SNAP’s contingency funds could be used to sustain benefits during a shutdown.“Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used for State Administrative Expenses to ensure that the State can also continue operations during a Federal Government shutdown,” according to the plan. “These multi-year contingency funds are also available to fund participant benefits in the event that a lapse occurs in the middle of the fiscal year.”

[almostwingedwasteland]

We told America’s full story – the good chapters and the painful. From Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in NV, to Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in PA and beyond, Americans and visitors can now learn more of our history and how it informs our future.

https://x.com/SecDebHaaland/status/1880336515374674205

[almostwingedwasteland]

Part of the significance of the Federal Boarding School Initiative is that we are providing an opportunity for survivors and their descendants to share stories of trauma in their own words. That’s why AsstSecNewland and I are on "The Road to Healing."

https://x.com/SecDebHaaland/status/1581413630326673408