Japan bans ministers’ fund-raisers ahead of election
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The change before the election could be aimed at underscoring that Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi has a proactive stance on political reform.
PHOTO: REUTERS
TOKYO – The Japanese government has imposed a total ban on political fund-raisers by ministers, its top spokesperson said on Jan 20, as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gears up for a snap House of Representatives election slated for February
The revisions to the ministerial code approved by the Cabinet bar ministers from holding fund-raisers of any size, a change from previous rules that merely urged them to avoid large fund-raisers without setting numerical thresholds.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the ban was made “with consideration for the true intent” of the code, which he said is intended to “maintain integrity and secure public trust in politics and administration”.
Japan’s ministerial code applies to Cabinet ministers, senior vice-ministers and parliamentary vice-ministers.
The change before the election, planned for Feb 8, could be aimed at underscoring that Ms Takaichi has a proactive stance on political reform.
Her Liberal Democratic Party has faced scrutiny over the issue since it emerged in late 2023 that some party factions failed to report income from fund-raising events, creating slush funds. KYODO NEWS
