October 8, 2024

Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Shii Kazuo (House of Representatives) on October 7 in his interpellation at the House of Representatives plenary meeting grilled Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru regarding his faction’s off-the-book fund allegation which was revealed by the latest Akahata Sunday edition.

The October 6 issue of the Sunday Akahata edition reported that a Liberal Democratic Party faction led by PM Ishiba, Suigetsu-kai, in the past six years did not report a portion of the income from its fundraiser ticket sales. The unreported portion amounts to 1.4 million yen.

Shii noted that Ishiba in 2023 in regard to the LDP factions’ slush-fund scandal said that his faction properly registered expenditures and revenues in its political fund reports. Shii also referred to Ishiba’s remarks: “I’ll investigate a new fact if it emerges,” and “I’ll tell the truth to the people with courage and sincerity.” The JCP CC chair urged Ishiba to thoroughly reinvestigate the LDP’s off-the-book fund scandal and fully disclose the truth behind it. Furthermore, he called for imposing a total ban on political donations, including the purchase of fundraiser tickets, from businesses and other interest organizations as well as for abolishing the system of government subsidies to political parties.

Ishiba, while admitting to the unreported funds, claimed that it happened due to a clerical error. He gave no clear answer to Shii’s demand for a total ban on corporate and organizational donations.

Shii also grilled the prime minister about his policies regarding the economy and diplomacy.