Disposition of Abe Party executives and others “Respond at an appropriate time after seeing the results of the investigation”
On the 19th, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in relation to the Kishida faction of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, of which he was the leader, the Kochi Policy Research Association (Kochikai), “To restore political trust, I will disband (disband) Kochi Kai.” ) I will do it,” he declared.
According to Jiji News Agency and Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the 19th, Prime Minister Kishida made this statement to reporters at the Prime Minister’s residence that day.
Regarding the disposition of executives of the Seiwa Policy Research Group, the Abe faction, the largest faction in the party, who is suspected of slush funds, he said, “After seeing the results of the investigation (by the Tokyo District Prosecutors’ Office), we will consider responding at an appropriate time.”
Regarding the faction, he pointed out, “There is growing suspicion that it has become a place to demand money and important positions from the people.”
He emphasized, “We need to think about policy group (factional) regulations in order to dispel suspicion and restore trust.”
Regarding the response of factions other than the Kishida faction, he stopped short of saying, “I am not in a position to comment.”
Earlier, on the 18th, when it was reported that the Tokyo District Prosecutors’ Office was planning to book the former accounting manager of the Kishida faction, Prime Minister Kishida announced his intention to consider disbanding the Kishida faction.
Prime Minister Kishida has served as Chairman of the Kishida Party since 2012. However, as the Tokyo District Prosecutors’ Office expanded its investigation into the Liberal Democratic Party faction, he withdrew from the Kishida faction on the 7th of last month. He also resigned from his position as chairman.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors’ Office Special Department, which is investigating the issue of political funds by the Liberal Democratic Party faction, plans on the 19th to book the accounting officers of the Kishida faction, the Abe faction, and the Nikai faction, ‘Shisui Kai’, for violating the Political Fund Regulations Act. solidified It is expected that seven Abe faction executives suspected of slush funds will not be indicted.
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors’ Office is investigating the political funding issue of the Liberal Democratic Party factions. The Liberal Democratic Party faction is holding political fundraising parties and selling party tickets. Each member of the National Assembly has a quota for party ticket sales, and all income from party ticket sales must be recorded in the budget report.
However, some factions, including the Abe faction, are accused of failing to record amounts exceeding the quota in the budget report. There are also suspicions that this was used as a slush fund.
Source: Donga
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