Japan's General Election Kicks Off... 'LDP Slush Fund Scandal' at the Center of Debate

The registration of candidates for the Japanese House of Representatives election (general election) has been completed, marking the official start of the election campaign.

On the 15th, Kyodo News reported that as of 5 p.m. on the same day, a total of 1,344 candidates had registered, combining both constituency and proportional representation candidates. This number is 293 more than the previous election in October 2021 (1,051 candidates).

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (left) is campaigning for the general election on the 15th at Onahama Fish Market in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture. (Photo by Yonhap News)

The increase in candidates is attributed to difficulties in opposition parties coordinating candidate unification, leading to more candidates per party, and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) disallowing some candidates from running simultaneously in both constituency and proportional representation seats due to involvement in a 'slush fund scandal.' Among the candidates, 314 are women, marking the highest number ever, surpassing the 229 women candidates in the 2009 House of Representatives election.

Leaders of both ruling and opposition parties began street speeches nationwide in unison, coinciding with the official start of the election campaign. The main issue in the campaign is expected to be the LDP's slush fund scandal. The scandal emerged late last year when it was revealed that factions within the LDP, including the 'Abe faction' led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, had been raising slush funds through political fundraising events. In response, newly appointed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba declared that 12 lawmakers disciplined for this scandal would not be endorsed as candidates.

Prime Minister Ishiba first visited Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture, which was affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and apologized regarding the slush fund scandal, stating, "I will deeply reflect to ensure this never happens again and approach the election with sincerity."

He appealed, saying, "China and Russia are violating our airspace, and North Korea launches missiles every month," adding, "Only the LDP and Komeito coalition government can protect Japan's independence and peace."

Noda Yoshihiko, leader of Japan's Constitutional Democratic Party, is campaigning for the general election on the 15th in Hachioji, on the outskirts of Tokyo.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Noda Yoshihiko, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, chose Hachioji City as the location for his first day of street speeches. This is the constituency of former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Hagiuda Koichi, who was excluded from candidacy due to suspension over the slush fund scandal.

Leader Noda criticized the situation as a "slush fund cover-up dissolution," stating, "I want the public to understand that the slush fund is a major issue and share their anger with you all, so on the first day of candidate announcements, I intend to visit the constituencies of the slush fund lawmakers."

In the upcoming general election on the 27th, the owners of all 465 seats in the House of Representatives will be decided, combining 289 single-member constituencies and 176 proportional representation seats across 11 regions.