The heirship battle has turned into a quagmire! Secret talks between Abe faction leaders after the first anniversary of his death at a fancy restaurant in Azabu, Tokyo.

This kind of mess over the appointment of a successor also occurred immediately after the first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Abe, who was once the head of the faction. After a series of events including a floral tribute, the Abe faction members quickly got into their cars and headed for a luxury ryotei restaurant in Azabu (Minato Ward), which was reserved by reservation only.

As far as the FRIDAY Digital editorial office has been able to confirm, in addition to the factional leaders, the restaurant was filled with eminent members, including House of Representatives Speaker Hiroyuki Hosoda (79) and former Defense Minister Tomomi Inada (64), who were enjoying a snack over chopsticks about the three factions’ future management.

A veteran secretary continued.

A veteran secretary continues, “However, no clear policy was decided. Although belonging to the Abe faction, many of the members only attended the memorial service and returned to their hometowns, and more than half of them were absent from the dinner. The younger members in particular were “reserved” and did not attend the meeting. With whispers of the dissolution of the Diet in the fall, many of the Diet members are engaged in serious activities in their hometowns on weekends, and some naturally wondered whether it was appropriate for senior Diet members to dine at a fancy ryotei restaurant on the anniversary of Mr. Abe’s death.

In fact, a member of the Abe faction who was absent from the meeting said, “I just couldn’t bring myself to hear about a heir dispute on the anniversary of Mr. Abe’s death, to whom I am indebted.

Since the battle for the chairmanship of the largest faction of the LDP will have a significant bearing on the future management of the administration, it is clear that the LDP wanted to proceed as cautiously as possible to avoid leaving any negative repercussions. The appointment of the chairman is scheduled to be discussed in earnest in the future, but the fact that the power struggle within the faction is taking place even on the anniversary of his death may have former Prime Minister Abe weeping behind the grassy knoll.