TOKYO – Japan’s political scene has joined the latest trend of textured “bumpy” stickers, with sets featuring Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet becoming a bestseller at gift shops within the National Diet.
While past political merchandise at the parliament’s retail outlets typically appealed to older audiences through specialty packs of manju buns and rice crackers bearing the current prime minister’s image, a new line of stickers targeting younger buyers—launched in July—has unexpectedly gained widespread popularity.
Norio Nakai, an official overseeing the stores’ operations, reported that up to 100 packs of the 1,320 yen ($8) sticker sets were sold daily during this summer.
The National Diet Friends sticker collection, created by a company from Osaka Prefecture in western Japan, includes cartoon illustrations of Takaichi against a Japanese flag background, another depicting her alongside a deer from her native Nara Prefecture, and a third showing Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taro Aso wearing a Panama hat.
Their popularity highlights Takaichi’s broad appeal beyond traditional politics. The prime minister, who recently celebrated one year in office as Japan’s first female leader, previously sparked the “Sanakatsu” craze, where young people enthusiastically purchased pens and fashion items associated with her.
Some opposition parties have also entered the sticker market.
The Democratic Party for the People, a right-leaning party viewed as a possible coalition ally for Takaichi’s LDP, sells stickers featuring its rabbit mascot in the party’s orange and blue hues.
Additional stickers include one displaying the word “more,” referencing the DPP’s advocacy for increased take-home pay.
The far-right Sanseito party markets stickers displaying its emblem, which features a depiction of the legendary phoenix “Houou,” while the digitally oriented Team Mirai distributes stickers of its logo in the party’s signature colors through its official website.
A revised batch of stickers centered around Takaichi’s Cabinet is set to be released after recent reorganizations within her governing party leadership and the Cabinet in September. The initial version featured Yoshimasa Hayashi, the former minister of internal affairs and communications, who is now considered a potential contender for the LDP leadership in next year’s party election.





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