Economic security minister Sanae Takaichi's distribution of documents outlining her policies among Liberal Democratic Party members has sparked a controversy in the party's presidential race, in which she is a candidate.
Amid criticisms and complaints of unfairness, party leaders on Tuesday urged its election committee to intervene, which prompted a pushback from Takaichi's office.
The controversy traces back to a Sept. 4 notice by the LDP, which banned the mailing of documents and other materials as part of its effort to ensure a "cost-effective leadership race" in the wake of severe public disapproval over a slush funds scandal implicating several factions in the party.
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