January 12, 2024

A member lineup of the Liberal Democratic Party “political reform headquarters” launched in response to the LDP slash-fund scandal has been arousing public criticism.

The 38-member organization includes ten lawmakers from the Abe faction which has allegedly been conducting illegal practices involving money raised from fundraising parties.

One-fourth of the new body is comprised of politicians from the Abe faction which is suspected of having systematically made kickback money. LDP President Kishida Fumio, head of the body, apparently gave special consideration to the largest LDP faction, the Abe faction, and to the factional power balance within the LDP.

Kishida at the organization’s first meeting on January 11 said, “In order to restore public trust and protect Japan’s democracy, the LDP itself should reform itself.” He, however, did not present any specific way to reform the party as if “reform” were just an empty slogan.

Regarding the illegal off-the-book money allegation, an Abe faction sitting Dietmember had been arrested, but Kishida during the meeting said nothing about a pursuit of the real facts of the case.

The LDP should fully disclose who got how much in slash funds and for what purpose the money was used.

Without this, the public distrust in politics will increase even more and the LDP culture of corruption will not change.

Past related article:
> Shii: Political reform HQ without disclosing truth behind slush fund scandal is meaningless
[January 6, 2024]