In the Diet, the House of Councilors Budget Committee held intensive deliberations regarding the issue surrounding the political funding party of a faction of the Liberal Democratic Party, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan pointed out that sanctions against the members involved should be taken only after the truth is revealed. In response, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he would continue the hearings that began on the 26th into next week and endeavor to clarify the actual situation.
Liberal Democratic Party Toshiyuki Ochi on response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake
Regarding the response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake, Liberal Democratic Party's Toshiyuki Ochi said, ``This disaster occurred in an extremely difficult situation with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic remaining and prices rising.I hope that the small and medium-sized enterprises and small businesses affected by the disaster will not suffer. It is important to allocate funds to ensure this."
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``In addition to swiftly moving forward with support such as Nariwai Subsidy to restore damaged buildings and equipment, we will also extend funding support for the coronavirus pandemic, which expires at the end of this fiscal year, until the end of June.'' We will do our best to provide support while listening to the voices of businesses."
Ritsumeikan Mr. Hideya Sugio on the political funding issue
▽Constitutional Democratic Party's Hideya Sugio said regarding the issue surrounding the LDP's faction's political funding party, ``They say they have started interviewing four Abe faction executives, but unless new facts come out, the truth will remain in the dark.What? Are you going to dispose of it based on that?" he asked.
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We have started additional interviews based on the public's doubts, and we plan to continue them into next week.We would like to determine political responsibility after clarifying the facts as much as possible.''
Mr. Sugio further pressed, ``Will the punishment be issued before he visits the United States in April?It's clear that he wants to attract public attention and increase his approval rating, and this seems like a closing ceremony.''
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We have to make a decision as soon as possible, but I haven't said how long.'' There is no way the degree of punishment will be determined at the stage when the interviews have begun, and there is no concrete judgment yet. Nothing has been decided yet."
Prime Minister Kishida was also asked to interview former Prime Minister Mori, who once served as chairman of the predecessor faction of the Liberal Democratic Party's Abe faction. We are not aware of any indication that he is involved in this, but we would like to interview the necessary parties during additional interviews."
On the other hand, regarding the punishment of former Secretary-General Nikai, who has announced that he will not run for the next House of Representatives election, he stated, ``We take Mr. Nikai's judgment very seriously, but we have not made any decisions regarding punishment.''
Regarding his own punishment, he said, ``The party's procedures and decisions, including mine, must be respected.''
Furthermore, when asked whether the party would provide election support if the party were to be declared ``unrecognized in elections,'' the party answered, ``If it is not recognized, the various benefits that accredited candidates receive, including recognition fees, will be reduced.'' "We realize that all of that will be gone," he said.
Komei Toshiko Takeya Toward the spread of “Children’s Hospice”
▽Toshiko Takeya of the New Komeito Party said, ``Considerations are beginning to progress, including conducting surveys of living conditions, but there are many different types of hospices. There are challenges and needs, and I would like to ask for your support.''
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We will take initiatives such as establishing a new ``pediatric palliative care treatment premium'' to promote the provision of appropriate palliative care through the revision of medical fees. We will work to improve the environment in which they can spend their time."
Ishin Mr. Azuma Toru regarding income such as kickbacks
▽Toru Higashi of the Japan Restoration Party commented on kickbacks and other income that were not included in the political funds balance report, saying, ``Why don't we donate to the disaster areas?I have also seen reports that voices are being raised even within the Liberal Democratic Party.'' "We should at least make donations to the disaster-stricken areas."
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``The decision should be made by each political group, but the public has raised various points about the unlisted funds, so we are trying to communicate with them on how to handle them. I want to.''