Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has stated that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will prohibit its members from using political activity funds during the upcoming House of Representatives election. These funds are provided by parties to their lawmakers. However, this announcement has sparked criticism, as the LDP had previously promised to eliminate these funds in their campaign pledge for the lower house election. During a recent TV program, Prime Minister Ishiba clarified that while political activity funds will be used within legal limits and with restraint, they will not be utilized for elections.
Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, criticized Ishiba’s statement as “unprovable,” arguing that disclosing how these funds are used is unnecessary. Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, also expressed skepticism about verifying how these funds are utilized.
The use of political activity funds has long been a topic of debate in Japanese politics. Critics argue that these funds can be misused or lack transparency in terms of how they are spent. The LDP’s decision to restrict their use during elections reflects a broader push for greater accountability and transparency within Japan’s political landscape.
As campaigning for the House of Representatives election intensifies, it remains to be seen how other parties will address this issue and whether they will follow suit in limiting or eliminating political activity fund usage during electoral campaigns.