Regarding the issue surrounding the political funding party of a faction of the Liberal Democratic Party, the opposition party plans to investigate the circumstances surrounding the continued kickbacks at the Political Ethics Committee next week.
The Liberal Democratic Party has decided to consider whether to conduct further interviews with those involved or to take further action based on the contents of the review committee.
On the 15th, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) stated that there was no clear explanation regarding the defense made by the Liberal Democratic Party's Abe faction, former House of Councilors Secretary-General Seko Seko, and others at the House of Councilors Political Ethics Committee. He asked for witnesses to be subpoenaed.
Political Affairs Research Chairman Nagatsuma said, ``The summoning of witnesses, where there are penalties for giving false answers, has a completely different weight, so I hope the Liberal Democratic Party will voluntarily support the summons and have the person come out and speak.''
Regarding Mr. Seko and others' excuses, there are opinions from within the ruling party that ``further explanations are necessary,'' and the Constitutional Democratic Party and other parties will continue to support Abe's faction during intensive deliberations at the House of Councilors Budget Committee to be held on the 18th. In addition to completing accounting procedures, our policy is to repeatedly subpoena witnesses.
Meanwhile, a political ethics review committee will be held in the House of Representatives on the 18th, and questions will be asked of Shimomura, former chairman of the Political Affairs Research Council, who served as the secretary general of the Abe faction.
Mr. Shimomura attended a senior executive meeting held in August last year to discuss the handling of kickbacks, and the opposition party plans to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the continued kickbacks.
Prime Minister Kishida stated on the 15th, ``I am not saying that accountability has been fulfilled with only the review board's explanation, and efforts to explain must continue.''
Based on the contents of the review committee, the party will decide whether to conduct further interviews with those involved, stating, ``We are aware that former Prime Minister Mori will be among those involved.''
The Liberal Democratic Party's executive committee will consider future responses while keeping an eye on trends in public opinion.