Shimomura, a former chairman of the Political Affairs Research Committee of the Abe faction, attended the Political Ethics Committee regarding the issue surrounding political funding parties of factions of the Liberal Democratic Party.
The opposition party plans to intensify its pursuit by demanding that faction leaders be subpoenaed as witnesses, claiming that the event did not lead to clarifying the facts, just as it did with previous attendees.
In response to this issue, Shimomura Shimomura, former secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party's Abe faction and former chairman of the Political Affairs Research Committee, attended the House of Representatives Political Ethics Review Committee held on the 18th.
Regarding the circumstances behind the continued kickbacks, Mr. Shimomura said, ``I really don't know when, by whom, or in what form the kickbacks were decided.''
Regarding the faction's leadership meeting in August last year to discuss the handling of party income kickbacks, he stated, ``No conclusion was reached, and there was no decision to continue refunds at this meeting.''
In response, the Constitutional Democratic Party's National Assembly Committee Chairman Azumi criticized the committee, saying, ``I didn't feel that they were trying to tell the truth at all.It's a ``self-justifying political ethics committee'' where everyone tells lies that suit their own interests.'' did.
As with previous participants, the opposition party claimed that the meeting did not lead to clarifying the actual situation, and requested that mid-ranking and young members of Abe's faction and other relevant members attend the review meeting, and that faction leaders be subpoenaed as witnesses. Our policy is to strengthen our pursuit.
The chairman of the National Assembly's countermeasures committee will meet on the 19th to discuss responses.
On the other hand, the Liberal Democratic Party plans to begin concrete discussions on disciplinary action against the members involved.
Prime Minister Kishida said, ``After confirming the excuses and explanations, the party must make a judgment on political responsibility.There may be a large number of people involved, but I would like to make a judgment as soon as possible.'' He indicated that he would make a decision during the Diet session.
The executive committee is also making arrangements to have Ichiro Aizawa, former chairman of the National Diet Committee, replace Party Disciplinary Committee Chairman Seiichi Eto, who has expressed his intention to resign.
The subjects of punishment are expected to be considered mainly among the 82 members of the House of Representatives and the House of Representatives who were interviewed by the party, and the executive branch is expediting the preparation of standards for punishment.