Taro Yamamoto’s Former Personal Secretary Speaks Out Using Her Real Name and Showing Her Face: “Staged Photo Shoots and the Verbal Abuse I Endured”

Chairman Yamamoto as Seen by His Secretary

“This happened during a three-way meeting on the evening of December 15 of last year, attended by Representative Yamamoto, the party’s chief accountant, and myself. Back in October, the chief accountant had unilaterally informed me of a change to my employment terms.Since this change would reduce my annual income by about 2 million yen, I refused the terms, which led to a meeting at Representative Yamamoto’s office. After hearing the report from the finance director, Representative Yamamoto must have thought I was being selfish.He hurled these abusive remarks at me: ‘You’re no longer a valuable asset. I took you on because you were useless,’ and ‘If I could get paid without working, I’d gladly trade places with you.’”

These are the words of Yuma Watanabe (24), who served as a private secretary to former Reiwa Shinsengumi (now the Party for Life) leader Taro Yamamoto (51). This time, he is coming forward with his real name and face, saying, “I want people to know the true face of Representative Yamamoto.”

In July of this year, Yamamoto announced his resignation as leader of Reiwa and his retirement from politics, citing a speeding violation while driving a rental car and health issues. However, he remains an influential figure, with troubles from his time as leader—such as the issue of his secretary’s salary—still lingering.Mr. Watanabe, a native of Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, identified with Mr. Yamamoto’s anti-nuclear stance. He was hired as a party staff member in May 2022 and became Mr. Yamamoto’s private secretary in December of the same year.

As he worked, he began to have doubts about the behavior of Mr. Yamamoto, who is a heavy smoker.

“Leader Yamamoto liked to smoke ‘Natural American Spirit.’He would even take a smoke break right before a speech. For example, suppose he arrived at the speech venue 10 minutes before the start. Even though he could have gotten right on the campaign truck and started on time, it was common for him to delay the start by more than 10 minutes just to smoke. He would go off to smoke, keeping the audience—who had gathered to hear him speak—waiting…”

There were also allegations of staged photos.

“It happened last July during a visit to a farm in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. There were only six or seven staff members there, including myself. Yet Representative Yamamoto had his photo taken while walking with a smile on his face and waving his hand.Even though there was no one around, he acted as if he were responding to waves from a large crowd of farmers’ supporters… He probably thought that even if it was ‘staged,’ it would serve as good publicity for the people working on the farm.”

Let’s return to the beginning—the scene where Mr. Watanabe objected to the sudden contract change and a three-way meeting was held. The meeting lasted about 30 minutes, but the two sides remained at an impasse. Representative Yamamoto ended it by saying, “That’s enough.”Feeling disheartened—especially after working so hard for three years—Mr. Watanabe reportedly submitted his resignation this past January.

To verify whether Mr. Watanabe’s statements were true, I left a message on Mr. Yamamoto’s cell phone and contacted his support group, “Taro’s NETWORK,” but received no response by the deadline.

Mr. Watanabe had aspired to become a politician, but after witnessing Mr. Yamamoto’s words and actions, he says he is now exploring a different path.

The October 9 issue of *FRIDAY* (October 23 & 30 Combined Issue) and the paid edition *FRIDAY GOLD* provide detailed coverage of the former private secretary’s revelations regarding Mr. Yamamoto, including being contacted at all hours—including on holidays and late at night—and being reprimanded for smoking.

Click here to view the full details and multiple photos ↓

From the “FRIDAY” October 23 & 30, 2026 Combined Issue