Japan's first female economy minister accused of spending political funds on make-up, gifts

Yuko Obuchi - rising star and possible future prime minister of Japan - was under fire yesterday over reports she had spent political donations on make-up.

The controversy is a blow to the most prominent of a new wave of women ministers.

Obuchi was appointed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month as the Japan's first female minister of economy, trade and industry, a powerful portfolio that includes oversight of the energy sector. She joined the cabinet in 2008 and is the youngest minister since the end of the second world war.

The centre-left Mainichi Shimbun newspaper said that over the five years to 2012, her political funding body spent more than 10 million yen (HK$725,000) on things unconnected to politics, including cosmetics and accessories.

It also spent 3.62 million yen in a boutique run by her sister's husband, the report said, citing receipts it had obtained. Other reports claimed a separate Obuchi group had spent 26 million yen on theatre tickets for supporters.

Political funding rules in Japan do not explicitly bar much aside from outright bribery. They are generally interpreted to allow for spending on running offices and promoting individuals.