This issue is on the news in Japan today.
It is an interesting topic. The election is coming up on 18th August.
Kaori Manabe comments on this issue, that she and her office say that they never let the permission to use for an election. She will not support political group nor politician in particular. She is going to cancel TV appearance until this issue is sets.
Minoru Shirouchi claims, that he got the permission through his friend, and received the picture from the office. He still claims that the use of the picture was under permission and he is not going to put it down. He takes a victims position. He does not belong to a politic party. His official blog is down by the enormous access for claim in this issue.
Who is Kaori Manabe?

She is a Japanese TV talent. The image I get from her is pretty, beautiful, healthy, smart, and funny. She has a very clean and good image, so she appears a lot on TV and commercials.
Image Search Result
Cee-Kaori Manabe pictures from here
Resource Article
Kaori Manabe Official Blog