“In light of the various allegations made regarding political funds, which have shaken the public trust in politics, and the various allegations made regarding my own political funds, I have submitted my resignation,” Matsuno said at a press conference.
For Kishida, new scandal over Tokyo Olympics comes when ‘he can ill afford it’
For Kishida, new scandal over Tokyo Olympics comes when ‘he can ill afford it’
Michiko Ueno, a special adviser to the prime minister, is also leaving office as well as five deputy ministers, Matsuno, who is also chief government spokesman, told reporters.
“The public’s doubts are around me over political funds, which is leading to distrust in the government. As an investigation is going on, I thought I wanted to set things right,” Nishimura told reporters.
Media reports suggested that prosecutors were about to begin raiding offices and interviewing dozens of lawmakers later this week.
Kishida said a day before that he would deal with the allegations “head-on”.
“I will make efforts like a ball of fire and lead the LDP to restore the public’s trust,” he told reporters.
The prime minister’s poll ratings are the worst for any premier since the LDP returned to power in 2012 because of voter anger about inflation as well as his handling of a string of earlier scandals.
The kickbacks allegedly went to party members who exceeded their ticket sales quotas for party fundraising events.
“If you are confident of selling [tickets], if you sell more than you are obliged to sell, that will all become your income, so that’s easy and great,” a senior official who used to work in the office of an LDP lawmaker told broadcaster ANN, with his face concealed and voice disguised.
The latest scandal implicates the largest faction within the LDP, which was headed by ex-premier Shinzo Abe before his assassination last year.
‘He’s on autopilot’: support for Japan’s PM plunges amid stale ideas, scandals
‘He’s on autopilot’: support for Japan’s PM plunges amid stale ideas, scandals
The grouping headed until recently by Kishida himself was also suspected of failing to declare more than 20 million yen in the three years to 2020, the Asahi newspaper daily reported.
Kishida’s poll ratings have tumbled since being chosen as a safe pair of hands by the squabbling LDP in October 2021.
He already carried out a reshuffle in September and last month announced a stimulus package worth 17 trillion yen (US$117 billion) to boost the flagging economy and ease the pain from rising prices.
The 66-year-old can govern until 2025 but there has been speculation that he might call a snap election ahead of a likely tough internal leadership vote in the LDP next year.
Japan won’t be swaggering on the world stage any time soon
Japan won’t be swaggering on the world stage any time soon
Analysts said that jettisoning members of the LDP’s biggest faction with around 100 members could make his job even harder.
“This may not necessarily give Kishida more freedom in governing, as the break with the Abe faction could complicate the administration’s management,” said Naofumi Fujimura, professor of political science at Kobe University.
“The scandal has significantly undermined public support for the LDP and the Kishida government. However, it remains uncertain whether it will result in a change of government, especially given the currently low public support for opposition parties,” he said.
Additional reporting by Reuters