Japan’s Foreign Minister Tsuyoshi Iwaya Attends U.S. Inauguration Amid China Bribery Allegations

However, Iwaya held a press conference and stated that he had received 1 million yen, but it was a thank-you payment for a lecture at a colleague’s party and denied receiving it from the former 500.com. Furthermore, he revealed, 

“In light of the suspicions raised, I refunded the money.”

According to reports from Asahi Shimbun and others from 2020,

The CEO of the Chinese company → the chairman of a tourism company → lawmaker Hiroyuki Nakamura → Foreign Minister Iwaya.

It is alleged that the 1 million yen was funneled through a series of intermediaries.

“Why visit China before America?” 

He questioned. Furthermore, he pointed out that if Foreign Minister Iwaya goes to America, he may be subjected to questioning.

Significant easing of visa issuance requirements for Chinese citizens.

This is because the Trump administration has always had a strong aversion to the Department of Justice and the FBI, and they may be dismantled in the future, so in relation to China, which Trump dislikes,

“They are doing their best.”

It is speculated that this is an attempt to show they are doing their best. This is likely why the issue is being brought up again now.

Indeed, Foreign Minister Iwaya’s pro-China stance has become more evident.

“During his visit to China in December, Foreign Minister Iwaya introduced a new type of visa for Chinese nationals that allows repeated use for 10 years. Suddenly, the visa issuance requirements were greatly relaxed. In a time when over-tourism is a major concern, it is natural to question why Chinese nationals are being given such preferential treatment” (TV station reporter).

Koichi Hagiuda, a fellow member of the Liberal Democratic Party, also criticized Foreign Minister Iwaya’s actions on an internet program on January 10, 

“He made promises without consulting the party’s foreign affairs division. Isn’t that a bit reckless?”

He stated. 

As opposition to Foreign Minister Iwaya grows, an online petition on Change.org demanding his dismissal has garnered over 26,000 signatures (as of January 14).

If the Foreign Minister is invited to the U.S. and questioned about the bribery case, he could become a laughingstock worldwide. While there’s a possibility that this is a trap to have him travel to the U.S., if it were to happen, it would undoubtedly lead to a diplomatic crisis.

By the way, in response to Takahashi’s post on X saying “This is good news,” some users have tagged Trump’s account and written about Iwaya’s suspicions in English, essentially reporting him.

The world is watching to see how the Trump administration will treat Iwaya attention is on the rise.