The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is facing potential backlash from the public over its decision to endorse Diet members involved in a fundraising scandal for the upcoming general election. The LDP plans to endorse lawmakers who have been punished for their involvement in the scandal, as long as they meet certain criteria. However, opposition parties are expected to question the LDP’s stance on this issue.
LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama stated that it is important to handle the endorsement issue according to party rules and not based on emotions. On April 4, the LDP imposed penalties on 39 of its members, including those from the now defunct Abe and Nikai factions, in connection with the scandal. The party has eight types of penalties for its members, ranging from expulsion to receiving a reprimand.
Former Education Minister Ryu Shionoya and former Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko have already left the party following recommendations from the LDP. Former education minister Hakubun Shimomura and former economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura have been suspended from party membership for one year and will not be endorsed by the LDP for the upcoming election.
Tsuyoshi Takagi, former chairperson of the party’s Diet Affairs Committee, received a six-month suspension which ended recently. The other members involved in the scandal are still eligible for endorsement according to party rules.
The LDP leadership plans to endorse some of these members if they meet certain conditions such as submitting a written pledge promising no recurrence and having support from their constituencies. Some LDP members argue that these punished individuals should be allowed to run not only in single-seat constituencies but also in proportional representation sections of elections.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed concern about public opinion regarding this issue but stated that no decision has been made yet regarding endorsement. Keiichi Ishii, leader of Komeito (a junior coalition partner), said his party would decide on supporting punished LDP members on a case-by-case basis.
Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda criticized the LDP’s stance as unacceptable and warned that public trust in politics would be seriously damaged if these punished individuals were allowed to run with their party’s endorsement.