[Sad news] Shinjiro reported to the Fair Trade Commission (some posts misleading companies)

The following is from X

[Posted by Tsutsumi Satoshi, Nagayo Town Council Member]

引用元　https://x.com/tsu_satoshi/status/1936248494257500562
画像出典：ベストタイムズ

Recent Posts

Everyone's comments

• That's great. It's probably not a penalty, but I think it's very meaningful.
• Awesome lol please do more. Thank you!
• Yahoo! Shopping offers even higher points rebates (over 20% across the board). Don't be surprised yet!
• Take screenshots and fish prints too.
• Wonderful.
• I closed the comments so it might be a bit late to notice your comment.
• The Fair Trade Commission issued a "stern warning" but no severe punishment. Therefore, it may not be effective against shameless people who don't even feel any pain or discomfort...
• Fighting poison with poison
• I'll wait for the results of my report. Is it possible that the privileged class can get away with anything? Surely that's not true?
• Thank you, I thought I had been hacked
• Seriously, what on earth is a public official, especially someone who is the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, thinking? He has no thought at all. He should be punished properly.
• I don't support your party, but I admire your actions as a person and as a member of parliament, and as a citizen, I am sincerely grateful. Because, this is just strange!!! Thank you.
• He seems to be confident that even if outsiders make a fuss, he will only get a verbal warning and will end up with no real punishment. In any case, if his approval rating continues to rise until the House of Councillors election, he and his brains are probably only thinking that they can wait for the voters to forget about it.
• The lonely howl of a powerless person doesn't resonate or reach anywhere. The howling monkey's voice is impressive, but to those around him it's just "noise." Is it an action that carries the power to make it happen?
• I heard that Shinjiro-san is an excellent "portable shrine." In other words, with all due respect, it all depends on the people pulling the strings behind the scenes. Isn't the situation running a little strange right now? Please take the reins, "mastermind." Especially former Prime Minister Suga! For those who are looking forward to your reign, the situation is serious.
• Sunzuro proceeds without consulting those around him, and those around him must be incompetent as well.

JapanNewsNavi Editorial Department B's Opinion

Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi faces allegations of corporate inducement

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi Shinjiro has caused a stir after he made comments on social media that could be interpreted as directing profits to certain companies. The issue started when he posted content that seemed to encourage purchases on Yahoo! Shopping. There are voices saying that it is extremely inappropriate from the perspective of fair trade for him to make such statements as to promote a specific private service in his official capacity as a current cabinet minister.

On social media, Nagayo Town Councilman Tsutsumi Satoshi stated that he had reported the matter to the Fair Trade Commission, and the situation is developing into a legal dimension. In response to this, many citizens have taken screenshots and saved fish prints, and are actively working to preserve evidence. Depending on how he responds in the future, it will be inevitable that his qualifications as a cabinet minister will be called into question.

Background of posts that were perceived as unfair

The post in question appears to have been made in the context of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' promotion of expanding consumption of domestically produced products, but Shinjiro named Yahoo! Shopping by name and called for people to "take advantage of this opportunity." Even if it was just an example, when someone with the title of minister mentions the product distribution route of one company, it cannot be helped that it is perceived as an invitation to a specific company.

In fact, there has been considerable criticism, such as "Why only Yahoo! and not other e-commerce sites?" and "If his family members were involved, wouldn't that be a conflict of interest?" When government officials recommend a specific service, it is easy to raise concerns about advertising effects and the elimination of competitors, and there have been repeated criticisms that, unlike in the private sector, the influence of their words is far too great.

The response of the Fair Trade Commission will be closely watched, but even if no legal action is taken, the moral issue will not be resolved. It is only natural that voices questioning the lack of ethics will not cease.

The meaning of speaking up and the responsibility that is required

While some people said, "It'll end with just a warning anyway," or "It's pointless because they don't have the authority," there were also calm, positive opinions such as, "It's important to speak up." In fact, this case is an example of how, even if no punishment is given, if a sitting minister makes a statement on social media that is not of public interest, he or she will be subject to public scrutiny and criticism. This could act as a deterrent to politicians from disseminating information.

Shinjiro has been known for a number of "misguided statements" in the past, but this is not something that can be laughed off, but something that will call into question his responsibility as a public official. This will affect the credibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as a whole, so it should not be taken lightly but seriously.

What we, the people, want is down-to-earth and honest administration, not showy performances. I strongly urge Mr. Shinjiro to understand the gravity of this and refrain from careless dissemination of information.

Written by: Editorial Department B