January 20, 2024

Tokyo Prosecutors on January 19 brought charges against the treasurers of three LDP factions - Abe faction (Seiwakai), Nikai faction (Shisuikai), and Kishida faction (Kochikai) in the Liberal Democratic Party over their slush-fund allegations associated with proceeds from political fundraiser ticket sales.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on the same day held a press conference in the Diet building and said, “It has turned out to be highly probable that their fundraising parties have been used to make off-the-book money. What the money was used for should be brought to light.”

Koike said, “It would be impossible for the treasurers alone to have engaged in practices accompanied by political judgements. Politicians themselves should be held responsible.” He went on to say that as long as prosecutors remain hesitant to cut into the core of the scandal, “it will be the Diet that must reveal thoroughly how the shush funds were created and what they were used for.” He demanded that all people concerned, including five figures who were once chief executives of the Abe faction, be summoned as sworn witnesses in the ordinary session of the Diet.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and former LDP Secretary-General Nikai Toshihiro on the same day hinted at dissolving their factions. Koike, in regard to this, pointed out, “The need is for them to first explain in detail their acts of corruption before dissolving their factions.” He criticized them for intending to fob off the issue with the dissolution of their factions.

He said, “I wonder how Kishida was able to decide to disband the Kochikai considering that he is no longer a faction member. He himself admitted that he is still at the helm of the faction. Kishida is the president of the LDP. He should order the dissolution of all LDP factions in addition to full cooperation to bring the matter to light.”

However, Koike added, “The dissolution of all the LDP factions will not automatically eradicate money-for-favor politics. Political donations from business establishments and other interest groups have been a hotbed of political corruption. Donations from businesses and interest groups to political parties and party chapters must strictly be banned. Ticket purchases by business and interest groups for political fundraising parties must also be banned.”

Sitting Dietmembers Ono Yasutada (House of Councilors) and Tanigawa Yaichi (House of Representatives) who were indicted on January 19 for their involvement in illegal kickbacks, resigned from the LDP. In regard to this, Koike criticized the LDP for sacrificing its rank-and-file lawmakers to save itself.