Man admits creating videos criticizing Japan PM Takaichi’s rivals in election

TOKYO, June 7 — The head of an IT firm admitted that he had created videos criticizing rivals of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in last year’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential race, after being asked to help her win the election, Kyodo News reported Sunday. In a recent online interview with Kyodo News, Ken Matsui, 33, said that he was consulted by a secretary of Takaichi on how to “reverse” the lead of her main rival Shinjiro Koizumi in the October election and proposed that “negative videos would be effective.” Matsui was asked about his thoughts during an online meeting, which included the secretary who was introduced to him by an acquaintance, on Sept. 25 to discuss social media strategy during the LDP election campaign, the report said.