Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Moriyama explained that it was reported that the organization had received election support from groups affiliated with the former Unification Church, saying, ``There was no request for election support, and we were unable to confirm any activity reports.''
The Asahi Shimbun previously reported that Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Moriyama received a letter of recommendation from a group affiliated with the former Unification Church during the 2021 House of Representatives election and received election support.
Regarding this, Minister Moriyama said at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the 6th, ``If there are photos like those reported in newspapers, I think they may have received a letter of recommendation, but when I checked again, I found that they were taken in past House of Representatives elections.'' There was no evidence that we requested election support from the organization in question, and we were unable to confirm that the agency had received any activity reports."
He added, ``If I had remembered it, I would have reported it properly, but since I didn't, I had not reported it to the Liberal Democratic Party.In any case, I have severed ties with the former Unification Church, and I will continue to request a dissolution order.'' We will continue to take appropriate measures."
Furthermore, members of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan asked Prime Minister Kishida to replace Minister Moriyama.
Prime Minister Kishida rejected this request, stating, ``I would like him to continue to fulfill his duties,'' and Minister Moriyama also stated, ``I will continue to fulfill my duties.''
On the other hand, Prime Minister Kishida was asked to reconfirm the relationship with the religious organization with his cabinet, and responded by saying, ``We will examine the relationship and past of the former Unification Church and related organizations, and if there is any contact, we will hold them accountable.'' "We will make sure to sever ties with the two countries in the future. I will once again confirm this policy to the Cabinet."
Chief Cabinet Secretary: ``I hope he will continue to fulfill his responsibilities''
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said, ``If new facts come to light regarding the relationship with the former Unification Church, I believe that each politician should be held accountable as necessary.'' ” he said.
``I am aware that Minister Moriyama has severed ties with the former Unification Church, and I believe that appropriate measures will be taken as necessary.'' I want them to fulfill their responsibilities."
Liberal Democratic Party Acting Secretary-General Kajiyama: ``There is no additional report from Minister Moriyama.''
Liberal Democratic Party Acting Secretary-General Kajiyama said at a press conference, ``Minister Moriyama reported in the party's 2022 inspection that he attended a meeting of a group affiliated with the former Unification Church and gave a greeting.''The party reported that he attended a meeting of a group affiliated with the former Unification Church and gave a greeting. We have instructed them to submit additional reports if any new relationships are discovered, and we have received reports from time to time, but Minister Moriyama has not provided any additional reports.''