Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is considering switching all ministers from his ruling party’s faction over a series of political fundraising scandals.
We’ll consider appropriate measures at the right time to restore public trust and prevent delays in national politics.
At this point, Kishida has already decided to fire Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno over failing to report millions of yen in fundraising efforts for the party faction, which is the largest in the ruling party.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura is facing similar accusations.
Japanese media speculate that along with the ministers, all senior vice ministers and parliamentary vice ministers from Abe’s faction are also likely to be removed.
“I intend to fulfil the responsibilities of duties I have been given.”
The scandals gained publicity following a criminal case alleging that five LDP factions, including Kishida’s group, underreported their income from political party fundraising.
The cabinet of Kishida, who took office in October 2021, has been witnessing a plunge in approval ratings due to voter concerns over rising living costs and a looming tax hike to fund plans for a military buildup.
A Fuji News Network-Sankei poll released on Monday revealed that his administration’s popularity fell to a record low of 22.5 per cent, down 5.3 percentage points from the previous month.
Some 46 per cent of respondents said they wanted Kishida to stay in power until his term expired in September, with around 41 per cent wishing for him to be replaced immediately.
Kishida has already left governing factions due to scandals, although he is expected to remain prime minister.
