The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) finds itself at an impasse as its junior coalition partner, Komeito, declines to endorse its proposed amendments to the Political Fund Control Law, sources revealed.
The LDP intends to forge ahead with its proposed revisions independently, following Komeito’s rejection of its more lenient proposals, according to insiders.
Tensions between the two parties escalated during discussions over two critical points: the identification of purchasers of party tickets and the transparency of policy activity expenses.
Under the existing Political Fund Control Law, purchasers of tickets to fund-raising events exceeding 200,000 yen ($1,280) must be identified. However, the LDP’s draft bill seeks to raise this threshold to 100,000 yen, a figure significantly higher than the 50,000 yen threshold advocated by Komeito.
Furthermore, while the LDP’s proposal calls for disclosure of policy activity expenditures under general categories, Komeito insists on detailed reporting based on itemized statements.
Despite Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s entreaties for collaboration, Komeito’s leader, Natsuo Yamaguchi, contends that the issue warrants discussion among both ruling and opposition parties, effectively rejecting compromises for a joint bill.
In response to Komeito’s stance, the LDP plans to proceed with submitting its bill independently on May 17, following internal deliberations, sources confirmed.
Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, are poised to introduce their own bills to amend the Political Fund Control Law. Deliberations on this matter will primarily unfold within the special committees on political reform established in both chambers of the Diet.
Given the LDP’s minority status in the Upper House, it must garner support from other parties to enact revisions to the law. Despite behind-the-scenes negotiations with opposition factions, notably Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), the outcome remains uncertain in light of widespread public condemnation of the LDP’s recent political fund scandal.