In a major blow to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, four cabinet ministers have stepped down due to a fundraising scandal. The scandal, which involves the party’s most influential faction, alleges that over 500 million yen (£2.8m; $3.4m) ended up in slush funds over a period of five years. The resignation of the ministers has further eroded public support for the LDP, as its approval ratings have dropped below 30% for the first time since 2012.
The prominent cabinet ministers who resigned include Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Economy and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, Internal Affairs Minister Junji Suzuki, and Agriculture Minister Ichiro Miyashita. Additionally, several senior vice ministers and a parliamentary vice minister from the same faction have also quit their positions. This mass exodus leaves the LDP without representation from its largest and most powerful faction in the cabinet.
The scandal revolves around the faction’s failure to report hundreds of millions of yen in fundraising income. The faction, also known as the Seiwa policy group, had set quotas for its members on the sale of tickets for party fundraising events. When the sales exceeded the quotas, the members received additional funds. Although this practice itself is not illegal, the allegations suggest that the excess revenue was kept off the books and funneled into slush funds.
Tokyo prosecutors have launched a corruption probe into the fundraising scandal, indicating the seriousness of the allegations. Prime Minister Kishida has vowed to confront the allegations head-on, but the ongoing scandal has raised doubts about his credibility and leadership. Some political observers believe that if a strong contender emerges, there may be a move to replace Kishida as the party’s leader.
The scandal has further exacerbated the public’s dissatisfaction with the government due to a variety of issues, including inflation and previous scandals mishandled by Kishida. The dwindling public support for the LDP and the cabinet’s resignations could have significant implications for the upcoming leadership elections in September and the general election in 2025.
Critics argue that the scandal highlights broader problems within the LDP and Japanese politics, with other factions also facing allegations of under-reporting fundraising income. The lack of transparency and accountability surrounding political fundraising has been a persistent issue in Japanese politics, undermining public trust in the system.
As the government faces the fallout from the scandal, it will need to take swift and decisive action to restore public confidence. Implementing stricter regulations and oversight on political fundraising, as well as holding accountable those involved in misconduct, will be crucial steps towards rebuilding trust.
The scandal will likely lead to increased scrutiny and public pressure on the government to enact meaningful reforms. It also serves as a reminder of the need for more transparency and accountability in Japan’s political landscape. Only by addressing these issues head-on can the government hope to regain the trust and support of the Japanese people.
