Calls for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to resign and take responsibility for the political funds scandal that has damaged the Liberal Democratic Party’s credibility are growing among local branches as the party looks ahead to September’s presidential elections.
Senior party leaders are increasingly concerned that the LDP could suffer heavy losses in the Lower House elections, which are not due until the fall of 2025, although Kishida could call early elections at any time.
Local party officials blame their party’s unpopularity on the prime minister, who is also LDP president, for his handling of the scandal, which involved unreported kickbacks to faction members in fundraising for the party’s ticket sales, and subsequent debate on a bill aimed at tightening political power. the rules for reporting on political funds.
