Uproar in Japan's Diet as PM Sanae Takaichi Accused of 'Refusing to Answer' Questions on 'Sanae Token' Scandal
On June 22, 2026, a clash erupted between the ruling and opposition parties during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's questioning style, throwing the chamber into temporary chaos. The opposition strongly criticized Takaichi, claiming her failure to address questions directly amounted to a "de facto refusal to answer." The phrase "refusal to answer" subsequently trended on social media, sparking widespread public debate. Defensive Maneuvers Over the "Sanae Token" Controversy During the committee session, Yuichi Goto of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) and others rigorously grilled the Prime Minister. Their questions focused on allegations surrounding the so-called "Sanae Token," suspicious activities involving secretaries at Takaichi's office, and defamatory online videos. Goto pressed Takaichi on specific facts, such as whether her secretary had registered ...