Whispers of Prime Minister Kishida’s Punishment of Abe Faction Executives Seen as Formal and Meaningless
A political ethics committee was held in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors regarding the slush fund issue of the Liberal Democratic Party factions. However, Abe faction executives who defended themselves repeatedly stated, “I didn’t know” and “I followed the custom,” failing to clarify the truth, and criticism continued. Even in opinion polls by various companies, support for the Kishida administration remained in the 20% range.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (66), frustrated by this, conducted his own hearing on March 26 regarding Abe faction executives involved in the slush fund issue, stating at the Prime Minister’s Office,
“As the party’s executive, we are conducting a hearing. At this stage, I cannot comment on the content.”
Prime Minister Kishida, who finally took action, is said to have a cunning intention behind it. A national newspaper political department reporter pointed out, “Isn’t the intention to dispose of Abe faction executives to recover support rates, especially in conjunction with the April visit to the United States?” and continued:
“It is expected that the four Abe faction executives who did nothing despite being in a position to stop the kickbacks for party tickets will receive more severe penalties than ‘unofficially recognized’ in elections. It is expected that mid-level and younger lawmakers with few unreported amounts will receive lighter penalties such as suspension from office or warning. A visit to the United States is scheduled in mid-April, including a meeting with President Biden and a speech in Congress. Prime Minister Kishida aims to demonstrate his presence again there.”
Before the visit to the United States, it is expected that the punishment of the Abe faction executives will be announced on April 1. The expected penalties for unofficial recognition in elections are believed to be for the chairman, Tatsuhiro Shiotani, former Minister of Education (74); former Secretary-General Hirofumi Shimomura (69); former Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura (61); and Kosei Yagi, former Secretary-General of the House of Councillors (61).
The Liberal Democratic Party has party discipline regulations, and members who commit acts that tarnish the party’s discipline and dignity are referred to the party disciplinary committee and receive penalties. There are eight types of penalties:
- Expulsion
- Recommendation to leave the party
- Suspension of party membership
- Unofficial recognition in elections
- Recommendation to resign from parliamentary and government positions
- Suspension of party positions
- Warning
- Recommendation to comply with party rules
The four individuals are expected to receive unofficial recognition in elections penalties, and the remaining three executives, Hirokazu Matsuno, former Chief Cabinet Secretary (61); Koichi Hagiuda, former Chairman of the Policy Research Council (60); and Takeshi Takagi, former Chairman of the National Diet Committee (68), did not attend meetings such as the executive meeting where then-President Shinzo Abe instructed to stop the kickbacks, so suspension of party positions is under consideration as it requires consideration.
