Prosecutors Drop Charges Against Kishida and LDP Members in Political Funds Scandal

Prosecutors in Japan have decided not to indict Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and seven other senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a political funds scandal that has plagued the party since last year. The decision was made due to a lack of evidence, according to sources close to the matter.

The accusations against the lawmakers, who belong to three different LDP factions, centered on alleged violations of the political funds control law. They were suspected of failing to report fundraising revenue, specifically funds raised through the sale of tickets for party faction events that exceeded their assigned quotas. These excess funds were allegedly not recorded in political reports and were transferred to the lawmakers.

Hiroshi Kamiwaki, a constitutional professor at Kobe Gakuin University, investigated the allegations and submitted criminal complaints to prosecutors. In January, several individuals belonging to party factions, including a former accountant of the group formerly led by Kishida, were indicted in connection with the scandal.

However, prosecutors have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to indict Kishida and the other seven senior LDP members. This decision brings an end to the investigation against them, although the scandal continues to cast a shadow over the ruling party.