Opposition Parties Call On Ldp To Clarify Ties With Religious Group
Some opposition parties in Japan have called on the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party to clarify its links with a religious group.
The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, previously known as the Unification Church, has been the focus of attention ever since the suspect in the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo told police he had a grudge against it.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Sunday was asked about the relationships between LDP lawmakers and the group.
Kishida said it is important to provide detailed explanations. He said people want to know more about the ties with an organization deemed politically and socially problematic.
Japanese Communist Party Chairperson Shii Kazuo on Monday criticized Kishida's remarks. He said that by urging individual politicians to provide explanations, Kishida is trying to shift responsibility from the party and government.
Shii indicated that the LDP should investigate the facts and disclose any problems, saying the party is responsible for asking itself whether it should continue colluding with what he called an antisocial cult.
Diet affairs chief Mabuchi Sumio of the Constitutional Democratic Party also said it is a problem that the religious group is tied up with everything from politics, elections and money.
He said the Diet must take up the issue as it mainly involves LDP lawmakers.