Japanese Prime Minister Vows Again To Cut Party's Ties Wth Group
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is once again vowing to cut any ties between his party and a controversial religious group. The group was previously known as the Unification Church.
It is under significant scrutiny over its allegedly shady marketing practices and soliciting large sums of donations from its members.
A lawmaker with the opposition Japanese Communist Party raised the issue during a Diet debate on Tuesday. He says a member of Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party won July's Upper House election with the support of the group.
Kishida apologized for the fact that many lawmakers in his party had some kind of connection with the former Unification Church or its affiliates, something he says undermined the public's trust in politics.
Kishida said, "What is important is that we examine what kind of ties we had with the group and completely sever them. We will thoroughly do this."
Kishida was also questioned by the Nippon Ishin Japan Innovation Party, another opposition party. He was asked if he is still committed to revising Japan's Constitution while he is the LDP leader.
Kishida said, "My resolve has not changed at all. Both discussions at the Diet and public understanding are needed for revising the Constitution. As Prime Minister, I hope discussions on this matter will progress further."
The current Constitution has not been changed since it took effect 75 years ago. The LDP says it should be amended to fit the times. The party is proposing amendments in four areas, including adding a reference to Japan's Self-Defense Forces.