LDP Secretary-General warns Fukuoka officials over funding scandal

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki met with officials from the Fukuoka Prefectural Federation on August 28 to address allegations of illicit money transfers involving members of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly.

During the approximately one-hour meeting, Suzuki informed Fukuoka Federation Chairman Kunihiro Matsumoto that the party is currently in no position to issue official endorsements for the 2027 unified local elections given the ongoing situation. Suzuki emphasized that the power to grant endorsements remains with the party headquarters and urged the local federation to demonstrate self-cleaning capabilities to restore public trust.

The discussions, which included other high-ranking party officials, come amid heightened scrutiny of political funding and ahead of anticipated cabinet reshuffles and party leadership changes.