Despite retiring as a lawmaker, Yoshiro Mori's impact on the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) remains significant, with his influence extending even after his active political career. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's involvement in the funding scandal within the ruling party, particularly related to the Abe faction, has led to questioning of top officials over the handling of funds raised through party events. The Abe faction, led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, faced scrutiny over the collection of money from ticket sales at fundraising parties and the redistribution of funds exceeding individual members' quotas.
The decision-making process and the continuation of the fund-return practice within the Abe faction have raised questions, prompting a closer examination by Kishida and other LDP executives. Allegations suggest that Mori played a pivotal role in influencing faction leadership decisions after Abe's assassination and subsequent reversal of the decision to halt the fund redistribution practice. As Kishida seeks to address the accumulation of unreported funds from fundraising events, testimony from Abe faction officials implicates Mori in the design of post-Abe leadership structures and the selection of top faction officials.
The potential involvement of Mori in the long-standing practice of fund redistribution, dating back possibly two decades to Mori's time as faction head, adds a layer of complexity to the scandal. Kishida's plans to implement disciplinary actions in response to the mishandling of party funds face challenges amid calls from opposition parties to summon Mori before the Diet for clarifications. The reluctance within the LDP to confront Mori directly underscores the sensitive nature of unraveling his role in the scandal, as it could lead to further legal investigations and internal party conflicts. The prime minister is in a precarious position, balancing the need to address the scandal with the potential consequences of questioning Mori, given his enduring influence within LDP politics even in retirement.