Japan’s PM Ishiba to push ahead with political funds reforms in bid to restore public trust

Stung by the results of last month’s election, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has made it clear that he intends to make new legislation on political funding one of his priorities, with observers optimistic that Japan finally has a leader who can tackle the corruption that has long blighted local politics.

Ishiba was reconfirmed as prime minister on Monday, although his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) fared poorly in the October 27 election – losing 65 seats – and he now heads a minority government that will need the support of smaller opposition parties to pass legislation.

Voters turned their backs on the LDP for a number of reported reasons, including rising inflation and stagnant wages, but for many the party’s biggest failing was the scandal that erupted last year surrounding about 600 million yen (US$3.87 million) that was siphoned off by LDP politicians. Some 46 politicians were linked to the illicit funds, most of whom lost their re-election bids.

Aware of the public’s anger, which appears little dissipated, Ishiba has said he will push ahead with reforms to the Political Fund Control Law, which covers the money that parties distribute among their politicians. The recipients are not required to account for how the money is spent.

Ishiba is also proposing that Diet members be required to detail how they spend their monthly allowances, which are to cover the costs of travel, research and communications, and that any unused funds be returned to the government. In addition, Ishiba wants to create an independent body to monitor political funding and a database that would allow the public to access political fund reports.

The changes would be groundbreaking but almost certainly unpopular with politicians who have previously been able to avoid public scrutiny of their financial affairs, but Ishiba appears set on going ahead with his plans.