Kishida: Ldp To Examine Alleged 'policy Agreement' With Ex - Unification Church
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio says his Liberal Democratic Party will examine the allegations that its members had been asked to work on policies proposed by groups affiliated with the former Unification Church.
Kishida was responding to a question by an opposition lawmaker at a Diet session on Thursday.
The religious group is under close scrutiny for its alleged shady marketing practices and soliciting large donations from followers.
Asahi Shimbun newspaper has reported that group affiliates had asked LDP Diet members to sign an agreement on its policy proposals in return for supporting them in election campaigns. One of the members reportedly agreed to do so.
Kishida said the LDP had received reports from its lawmakers on their connections, if any, with the group or its affiliates based on eight categories.
He said his party needs to reconfirm how its members had classified the policy agreement issue within the categories.
Kishida said his party will continue to examine the true state of any ties to the religious group.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu told reporters on Thursday that he was aware of the report, but that the government is not in a position to comment on the matter involving individual lawmakers' political activities.
Matsuno added that within the government, it is asking Cabinet ministers and other officials to make additional reports and explanations when they have found out more about their ties with the group.
He stressed that the government urges them to sever any ties with it.