Amid Lingering Doubts Over Amendments, Hiroshige Seko Plans Political Funding Party by Renaming It as “Secret Fund of 15 Million Yen”

The reason LDP insiders are sighing is clear, amid public dissatisfaction over the regulatory law amendments, Hiroshige Seko, who was involved in the controversy, plans to host a political funding party soon.

Seko has already left the LDP and taken responsibility for the series of issues, but he has yet to fulfill his accountability in his own words. Moreover, stakeholders are not hiding their confusion about the timing of the event, which seems too tactless.

“The invitation for Seko’s political funding party arrived in late May. The event itself is scheduled for late June, to be held at a renowned four-star hotel in Tokyo, where the banquet hall has been reserved. The participation fee is also typical for political funding parties at 20,000 yen. However, the event is labeled as a ‘Political and Economic Seminar’—they are being careful about the wording there!” (same source)

Indeed, the invitation obtained by this magazine also labels the event as a “Political and Economic Seminar.” While it may be described as a study session, considering the purpose and participation fee, it is evident that this is a political funding party.

 

“Seko-san has reportedly been energetically greeting supporters in his hometown of Wakayama Prefecture. Behind such enthusiastic efforts lies the presence of a formidable rival in the same electoral district. In the upcoming election for the new 2nd district of Wakayama Prefecture, former Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai’s third son, Nobuyasu (46), is also planning to run. For Seko-san, this is a crucial battle where defeat is not an option. Despite the ongoing amendment process concerning the secret fund issue, Seko-san proceeded with announcing the party’s event, likely because he couldn’t afford to delay any longer,” commented a local supporter.

Initially, Prime Minister Kishida had planned to dissolve the Diet at the end of the current session on June 23rd and proceed with a general election. However, judging that even if the amendment were passed, the likelihood of recovering approval ratings was low, he abandoned the idea of dissolving the Diet during the session. It might have seemed prudent to wait and see the outcome of the amendment before making such decisions, but timing can be crucial in politics.