Japanese investigators searched the offices of two factions of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's party in Tokyo on Tuesday as part of a financial fraud case that has rocked the ruling party and government for several weeks.
These searches in two factions are “extremely regrettable,” according to Japanese media. “We are taking the situation very seriously and taking the necessary measures while respecting the progress of the investigation,” said Toshimitsu Motegi, general secretary of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD, right-wing conservative).
According to the Japanese press, investigators are investigating suspected fraud against dozens of members of the PLD, the political group that has ruled the country almost continuously since its founding in 1955.
These PLD members are suspected of failing to declare the equivalent of several million euros collected through the sale of tickets to fundraising evenings and then allegedly paid out to them by the party.
“The party must urgently work to restore the trust of the people,” the prime minister told the press on Tuesday, stressing that the judiciary must investigate “rigorously” to shed light on the matter.
Mr. Kishida was forced last week to replace four of his ministers who belong to the PLD's main internal faction to try to put out the fire caused by this huge scandal that is further weakening his public opinion.
Investigators are particularly interested in members of the main LDP faction, which was led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe until his assassination last year. They would have received around 500 million yen (3.2 million euros) illegally over a period of five years until 2022.
According to local media, prosecutors are investigating five of the PLD's six factions, including the one that Mr. Kishida led until recently.
The investigation began with hearings from accountants of the affected political groups and was expected to continue with hearings from dozens of parliamentarians.
The prosecutor's office spokesman contacted by AFP could not confirm the searches and hearings.
When Mr. Kishida came to power in the fall of 2021, he had already experienced a decline in his popularity before the media gradually brought this new scandal to light.
According to a survey published last week by the Jiji agency, only 17.1% of positive opinions are attributed to him, a decrease of 4.2 points compared to the previous month.
The prime minister can theoretically remain in power until 2025, but some analysts are speculating about the possible calling of early elections before an internal vote in the PLD next fall, which could prove very difficult for him.