The following is from Ryusho Kadota's column in the front matter of the current issue of the monthly magazine "Hanada.
I have mentioned many times that the monthly magazines Hanada and WiLL are must-reads for all Japanese citizens who can read.
It is a must-read not only for the people of Japan but also for people around the world.
The "True Giant Evil" of the LDP Party Ticket Scandal
What is the "essence" of the LDP party ticket issue?
Can the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's Special Investigation Department cut to the "heart of the matter"?
At the end of 2023, the political world was in turmoil.
While the focus of attention has been on the Abe faction, voices have persisted that the "crux" of the matter lies with the Kishida faction (the Kochikai).
At the same time, however, there is a pessimistic outlook that "the Special Investigation Department will not go that far.
I want to explain the reason for this.
On December 7, Prime Minister Kishida suddenly announced that he would step down as chairman of the Kishida Faction.
He said, "There are many factionless people in the party, so I thought it appropriate to leave the faction while I am still in office as prime minister president. I want to lead the effort to restore the party's credibility."
The prime minister's words may have left many wondering, "What's the point now?
It was a "leap of faith" from Kishida, who had never stopped being a faction leader even after so much criticism. That's how cornered he has become," said a desk clerk of a major newspaper's society department.
"Each faction has quickly resolved the party ticket issue by revising their political fund balance reports to keep up appearances. However, if it were merely a violation of the Political Funds Control Law, the prosecutors would not have increased the number of prosecutors to 50.
In other words, they are looking ahead. But because of the size of the barrier or taboo, the prevailing view is that it won't be possible."
Aiming ahead, the size of the taboo is impossible.
What do these words mean?
The point is in the "Kishida faction."
Take, for example, the Kishida faction's political fundraiser held on May 18, 2022.
The party, held at the Tokyo Prince Hotel in Shiba Park, Tokyo, from 6 p.m. on that day, was enveloped in a peculiar atmosphere.
One of the attendees recalls, "The Kishida faction's parties are unique.
The atmosphere is different from that of other factions. The reason is the number of Chinese people. There are Chinese in other factions, but the number of Chinese is different, so the Chinese that fly around is impressive. In other words, many Chinese people buy party tickets for the Kishida faction. The 2022 Corona Disaster started with chairs spaced apart, but people who were clearly Chinese were sitting in a row, which was broadcast on the Internet and became a topic of conversation."
Naturally, purchasing party tickets means "in exchange for something."
Then, why is it that the Kishida faction has so many Chinese citizens?
Masayoshi Ohira, the third president of the Kishida faction of the Kochi-kai and Kakuei Tanaka, normalized diplomatic relations between Japan and China in 1972. For this reason, China has given special treatment to the Tanaka and Ohira factions, and it is well known that aid to China, such as ODA, was mainly channeled through both factions, bringing in large kickbacks from China," said an LDP official.
In other words, China, which "once it bites, it never leaves," has been "in the hands" of the current Kishida faction for a long time.
However, according to Article 22 of the Political Funds Control Law, politicians are prohibited from accepting foreign donations.
Some politicians, such as Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara during the DPJ administration, violated this rule in the past and were ousted from their ministerial posts.
If donations are prohibited, then how about the purchase of party tickets?
There are no regulations, and the donor's name is not revealed if the amount is less than 200,000 yen.
Furthermore, even if the donor is Chinese, if the party is incorporated in Japan and the representative is not named in Chinese but in Japanese, the donor can be ultimately "hidden" from the public.
However, when the party is held, the actual purchasers, the Chinese officials, appear immediately.
It is the Kishida faction's party.
Why does China show up in every aspect of business in Japan, drop them in competitive bidding, and even get into the government?
It is precisely because they sell their favors and connections to politicians and factions at every opportunity, including political fundraising parties.
If the Special Investigation Department ends its investigation only with the Abe faction's slush fund, it will be accused of being "half-hearted.
Why is China monopolizing Japanese politics to this extent?
Only the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office can use this issue as a springboard to investigate and correct the harm caused by this unusual relationship with a foreign power.
We hope that they will not be intimidated by the fact that their target is the supreme authority, Fumio Kishida and that they will uncover the real problem.
Kadota Ryusho
Writer, Journalist
2024/1/11 in Kyoto
