Ldp To Tell Local Chapters To Shun Election Support From Ex - Unification Church
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party plans to send a notice to its prefectural chapters telling them to refrain from receiving campaign support from the former Unification Church in next year's local elections.
NHK has learned that the LDP plans to send out the notice as early as Wednesday, targeting candidates it will support or endorse in local elections next spring.
Candidates will be asked to refrain from participating in meetings linked to the religious group or sending it messages. They will also be requested to avoid receiving or soliciting systematic campaign support, including funding.
The prefectural chapters will be asked to respond appropriately to the notice.
The LDP's requests are in line with its planned revisions to the party's governance code, which aims to cut all ties with the former Unification Church.
The revised governance code is expected to urge party lawmakers to avoid any behavior that could help or promote the religious group, or to act in a way that could expose them to undue political influence from the group.
The former Unification Church is under scrutiny for its alleged shady marketing practices and solicitation of large donations from its followers.