LDP Lawmakers to Attend Ethics Hearing on Funding Scandal
In a significant development, 27 members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) implicated in a funding scandal have agreed to appear before the Upper House's Political Ethics Hearing Committee. This sudden change of heart comes after the LDP's poor performance in the recent Lower House election, which was partly attributed to the scandal.
Previously, the LDP had resisted calls for its members to testify before the committee, with some even refusing to attend. However, the party now appears eager to address the issue and bring it to a close before the next Diet session and Upper House election.
The decision to attend the hearing was reportedly made after senior members of the LDP's Abe faction coordinated a unified approach. This move has raised speculation of political calculation, with some suggesting that the LDP is trying to minimize the damage from the scandal.
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) has welcomed the LDP's decision but remains cautious. The party's Diet Affairs Committee chair, Yoshitaka Saito, emphasized the need for thorough discussions to get as close to the truth as possible.
While the LDP lawmakers' attendance at the hearing is a positive step, it remains to be seen whether they will provide meaningful answers and shed light on the full extent of the scandal. The CDP has expressed concerns that the LDP may simply be trying to close the issue without fully addressing the concerns of the public.