# Japan PM defamation video and crypto scandal continues > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japan-pm-defamation-video-and-crypto-scandal > Updated: 2026-08-10T06:13:54.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 6. The controversy began in early June 2026 when Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi was accused of commissioning defamatory videos against political rivals. Audio of a meeting between her chief secretary and a video producer was released, prompting a House of Representatives Legal Committee hearing. Takahashi repeatedly denied knowledge, asserting she had no “familiarity” with the creators. By mid-July, short TikTok videos targeting Finance Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and other LDP candidates were traced to a network involving entrepreneur Ken Matsui, senior secretary Goshi Kinoshita and chief of staff Tsuyoshi Kinoshita. In addition to the video scandal, Takahashi faced scrutiny regarding “SANAE TOKEN,” a cryptocurrency bearing her name. While she denied any authorization or connection to the token, the project was eventually terminated by NoBorder DAO after its value plummeted by 75%, prompting a Financial Services Agency investigation. On 22 July, the prime minister’s secretary submitted a written statement to the Diet affirming that neither the prime minister’s office nor the campaign had produced, disseminated or commissioned any defamatory material during the October LDP leadership race or the February lower-house election. The secretary acknowledged a brief online meeting with a man alleged to have created the video but said he could not recall the individual’s face or name. Centrist reform coalition leader Junya Ogawa criticized the explanation as insufficient and demanded that the secretary be called as a witness before the Diet committee. Recent reports have further alleged the use of generative AI and “smartphone farms” to inflate social media engagement, though the scandal remains unresolved. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-10: Sanae Takaichi faces allegations over election videos and crypto Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces allegations regarding the use of AI-generated defamatory videos in elections and controversy surrounding a cryptocurrency named after her. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sanae-takaichi-faces-allegations-over-election-videos-and-crypto ### 2026-07-22: Japanese Prime Minister Takashi's Office Denies Involvement in Slander Video, Opposition Demands Witness Japan's prime minister's secretary denied any role in defamatory campaign videos, while opposition leader Junya Ogawa says the explanation falls short and urges a witness summons. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-prime-minister-takashis-office-denies-involvement-in-slander-video-opposition-demands-witne ### 2026-07-12: Japan PM Takaichi Sanae embroiled in SNS defamation video scandal Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is under investigation after reports that her team produced defamatory TikTok videos targeting rivals during the 2026 election, involving entrepreneur Matsui Ken and senior staff,, 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-prime-minister-takashi-embroiled-in-electiontime-defamation-video-scandal ### 2026-06-25: Japanese Prime Minister Takakichi faces parliamentary scrutiny over defamatory video and token controversy Japan’s Prime Minister Takakichi submitted a written statement to avoid answering questions about a defamatory video and the SANAE TOKEN crypto scandal, then gave a lengthy, camera‑focused denial in a Senate he 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-pm-takahashi-faces-parliamentary-scrutiny-over-alleged-defamation-video-and-crypto-token-claim ### 2026-06-22: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces scrutiny over SANAE TOKEN crypto and defamation video scandal Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denied involvement in the SANAE TOKEN cryptocurrency and a defamation video, faced tough budget‑committee questioning and an odd fish‑question, sparking calls for accountability. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japans-prime-minister-takaichi-denies-involvement-in-sanae-token-crypto-amid-parliamentary-grilling ### 2026-06-11: Japan PM Sanae Takahashi accused of defamation‑video scheme, denies personal links Japan PM Sanae Takahashi faces criticism over alleged defamation‑video scheme; she claims no personal contact with its creators while economists debate the definition of “familiarity.” 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-pm-sanae-takahashi-accused-of-defamationvideo-scheme-denies-personal-links --- Cite as: Japan PM defamation video and crypto scandal continues. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japan-pm-defamation-video-and-crypto-scandal