Opposition clashes with Ishiba over political reform

Political reform and the Liberal Democratic Party’s handling of the slush fund scandal took center stage in Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s first showdown with opposition party leaders in parliament Wednesday.

Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda lambasted Ishiba’s initial decision to give the party’s formal backing to 12 lawmakers involved in the scandal in the Oct. 27 Lower House election.

“Taxpayers’ money destined for political parties might be paid to people who have engaged in actions akin to tax evasion,” Noda said Wednesday, asking Ishiba to provide further explanations on the party’s endorsements. “From the perspective of public sentiment, I find this totally incomprehensible.”