Prime Minister Kishida conducted separate interviews with former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura and former House of Councilors Secretary-General Seko, both senior members of the Abe faction, regarding the issue surrounding the political funding party of a faction of the Liberal Democratic Party. We will consider whether to hold additional hearings over the next week, and will make a decision on specific punishment based on the series of contents.
Regarding this issue, on the 27th, Prime Minister Kishida held separate hearings with Secretary-General Motegi and Chairman of the Board of Governors Moriyama at a hotel in Tokyo with former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura, former Secretary-General of the House of Councilors, and former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura, and former Secretary-General of the House of Councilors.
The Abe faction decided to end kickbacks at the direction of former Prime Minister Abe, who was its chairman, in April of last year, but in August, after four senior executives, including Nishimura and Seko, discussed how to handle the kickbacks, they decided to stop kickbacks. There is a history of backlash.
Regarding this discussion, the two stated at the recent Political Ethics Review Committee that ``no conclusion was reached,'' and at the hearing on the 27th, they requested an explanation of the content of the discussion.
Of the four, former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Shioya and former Political Affairs Research Chairman Shimomura were interviewed on the 26th.
The executive branch is coordinating next week to decide on punishments for the members involved, and the four members are said to be responsible for not stopping the kickbacks, and have been given more than ``non-recognition of elections'', the fourth-heaviest punishment under the party's constitution. We are considering the disposal of
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kishida is considering conducting additional interviews with other relevant members of parliament next week in order to clarify the actual situation, and will decide on specific punishment based on the contents of the series of hearings. I am planning to do so.
Prime Minister Kishida: ``We will continue to divide the party among the executive departments.''
Prime Minister Kishida told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office, ``I would like to continue conducting additional interviews into next week.This does not mean that it will end today, but I would like to continue the investigation by dividing it among the party's executive departments.'' said.
When the reporters asked, ``Are we going to interview former Prime Minister Mori and others?'' he answered, ``The targets have not been disclosed in the past. I will go.''
On the other hand, when asked by reporters, ``Do you think the people will be satisfied without taking any responsibility for yourself?'', she answered, ``I will judge political responsibility based on the results of the interview survey. Nothing has been decided."
Former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Shioya: “We are not talking about progress or retreat”
Former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Shioya was asked by reporters about his individual interview with Prime Minister Kishida on the 26th, and he said, ``Yesterday we had a series of talks.''
When asked if he had talked about advancing or retreating, he said, "No."
Meiji Restoration Secretary-General Fujita “Prime Minister Kishida also has a certain responsibility”
Japan Restoration Association Secretary-General Fujita said at a press conference, ``Everyone involved should be subject to punishment, and I want to see the scope and weight of the punishment.Since a major scandal occurred within the organization, It is natural that Prime Minister Kishida, who is in charge of this, also has a certain responsibility."
Communist Party Chairman Tamura: “We cannot allow the curtain to end with punishment.”
Communist Party Chairman Tamura said at a press conference, ``If the Liberal Democratic Party conducts another hearing, it should report to the Diet.If it cannot report, it is not worth the name of an investigation.We need to conduct a thorough investigation.'' The punishment should be determined based on the facts, and it is unacceptable to simply try to pull the plug."