In a move that stunned observers, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday that he is considering abolishing his faction in a bid to restore public trust toward politics amid a series of political funds scandals.
“I am considering abolishing Kochikai,” Kishida told reporters Thursday evening, referring to his former faction. “If it benefits restoring trust toward politics, I need to consider it.”
The faction is expected to be disbanded after the Liberal Democratic Party releases an interim report on political reform on Jan. 25, Jiji Press reported, citing a senior faction member.