Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori’s influence over the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) remains strong despite his retirement as a lawmaker. This influence has come into focus amidst a funding scandal engulfing the ruling party, particularly involving the Abe faction. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida found himself grappling with the aftermath of the scandal, where funds from ticket sales at fundraising events were being collected and distributed among faction members, raising ethical concerns.
In response to the scandal, Kishida and other LDP executives initiated questioning of top officials from the Abe faction to understand the origins and continuation of the fund distribution practice. The officials mentioned Mori as a key figure who could shed light on the practice, indicating his continued involvement in faction affairs. The reemergence of the fund-return practice after former Prime Minister Abe’s decision to end it further highlights Mori's increased influence within the faction.
The Abe faction, known for accumulating a substantial amount of unreported funds through the controversial practice, struggled to find new leadership after Abe's demise in July 2022. This leadership vacuum paved the way for Mori to assert his influence once again within the faction. It is suggested that Mori not only orchestrated the faction's post-Abe leadership structure but also appointed key officials to lead the group.
The revelation that the fund-return practice dates back decades, potentially to Mori’s tenure as faction head from 1998 to 2006, adds another layer to the controversy. Kishida's intention to take disciplinary action against the accumulation of unreported funds faces a setback with new testimonies raising further questions about Mori’s involvement. Opposition calls for Mori to testify before the Diet have created a dilemma for Kishida, as pushing for Mori’s questioning could strain relations with the faction. The outcome of potential investigations into Mori’s role in the scandal could have significant repercussions on the prime minister and the party as a whole.