Kishida Plans to Dismiss Secretary-General over Political Funding Issue

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to dismiss Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Minoru Terada over issues related to political funds, Japanese media reported on the 20th.

At a press conference during his Southeast Asia tour in Bangkok, Thailand, on the 19th (local time), Prime Minister Kishida responded to questions about Minister Terada's position by saying, "As Prime Minister, I will decide what to do."

Minister Terada is facing calls for dismissal from opposition parties after problems surfaced regarding political funds, including listing a deceased person as the accounting manager on the political fund report of his local support group over a period of three years.

According to Yomiuri, "Within the Liberal Democratic Party, voices are growing stronger that early action is necessary to avoid affecting the review of the second supplementary budget bill this year, and (Prime Minister Kishida) appears to have judged that replacement is inevitable."

Minister Terada belongs to the 'Kochikai' faction of the Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Kishida.

The Asahi Shimbun also reported that Prime Minister Kishida is considering dismissing Minister Terada, and if the dismissal is decided, it would be the third ministerial resignation in the past month following the Minister for Economic Revitalization and the Minister of Justice, which is expected to deal a significant blow to the administration.

Local media expect Prime Minister Kishida to make a final decision on Minister Terada's position as early as today.

The approval rating of the Kishida Cabinet continues to decline amid controversies involving the Liberal Democratic Party and the Unification Church. Major local media polls show support levels in the 20-30% range.