During a Lower House plenary session, lawmakers Ryu Shionoya, Hakubun Shimomura, and Yasutoshi Nishimura are facing potential disciplinary actions stemming from a political fund scandal that has stirred discontent within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The Party Ethics Committee is expected to convene on April 4 to decide on punitive measures regarding the disclosed underreporting of fund-raising revenues by 39 lawmakers, with the likelihood of expulsion for some members.
Among the anticipated measures, the strictest punishment may involve asking prominent figures like Ryu Shionoya and Hiroshige Seko to relinquish their LDP affiliations, deemed a reflection of the party's commitment to addressing the prolonged non-disclosure of fund-raising income within the Abe faction. As the developments unfold, concerns have been raised about perceived inconsistencies in the treatment of Prime Minister Kishida, with no proposed disciplinary actions against him despite the scandal's connection to his faction's financial management practices.
The discontent within the LDP has been exacerbated by the party's decision not to take disciplinary action against Toshihiro Nikai, even though his aide faced charges related to unreported fund-raising revenues, the largest among several lawmakers involved in the financial irregularities. In contrast, a mid-ranking lawmaker within the Abe faction expressed dissatisfaction over the perceived arbitrary nature of disciplinary measures solely based on monetary thresholds, hinting at impending internal strife as party members voice objections to the handling of the scandal.