LDP Cancels Party Convention for the First Time Since Its Founding Due to COVID-19

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyeon-jin] Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has decided to cancel this year's party convention for the first time since its founding in 1955. Although it cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason, there are criticisms suggesting that the decision may also be influenced by the recent weakening position of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun on the 8th, LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai announced at a press conference the day before that the party would not hold this year's convention in consideration of the COVID-19 situation. This is the first time the LDP has skipped its annual party convention since its establishment in 1955.

The LDP had originally planned to hold the convention on March 8 this year but postponed it once due to COVID-19 concerns. Regarding the complete cancellation, Secretary-General Nikai said, "Considering various circumstances," and noted that the COVID-19 situation had not yet been resolved. He explained that the decision took into account that about 3,000 members, including affiliated lawmakers and local assembly members nationwide, were expected to gather at this year's convention.

However, there are also speculations that other reasons might have influenced the decision to cancel entirely.

Analysts suggest that the recent arrest of former Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai and his wife, who allegedly distributed money to local leaders and assembly members in the Hiroshima area ahead of last year's House of Councillors election, may be related. The Kawai couple, close associates of Prime Minister Abe, were arrested by prosecutors on the 18th of last month on charges of handing over 25.7 million yen to 94 local government heads and assembly members in the Hiroshima constituency before the July House of Councillors election last year. This has sparked calls for accountability involving Prime Minister Abe and others.

The Mainichi Shimbun reported that if related events such as the nationwide secretaries' meeting were held in conjunction with the party convention, the executive branch would have to explain current issues at that time. However, since the party headquarters cannot properly explain the 150 million yen given exclusively to the Kawai couple, there are rumors among lawmakers that this is why the convention was canceled.