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The policy chief of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party is set to visit Taiwan.

Hagiuda Koichi plans to begin a three-day trip on December 10.

Given how many smartphones are sold every year, it’s actually quite a lucrative business, so it’s not hard to see why even Canon wants in on the action. The company has recently confirmed that they too will start selling their CMOS sensors to third-party companies who might need to use their technology.

According to Canon, “Canon has been manufacturing CMOS sensors since 2000 for exclusive use in Canon products. Building on that expertise and success, Canon is now committed to starting external sales to collaborate with various industries. Canon CMOS sensors feature unique designs to meet the needs of demanding vision applications.”

Former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo says he will cooperate with the investigation into alleged political funding violations involving his support group.

Abe spoke to news reporters on Friday about the allegation that the group shouldered part of the costs of annual parties for his supporters.

NHK has learned that staff at the office of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo had disposed of receipts from hotels where annual parties were held for his supporters.

Each party was held on the eve of Abe's annual cherry blossom viewing event.

NHK has learned from multiple sources that receipts from two hotels in Tokyo where former prime minister Abe Shinzo's support group held annual parties show that his office shouldered part of the costs.

The group held the parties from 2013 to 2019 on the nights before Abe's annual cherry blossom viewing events. Supporters each paid about 48 dollars to attend.

This led to opportunities from third-party companies looking to create accessories for the console, like a company calling themselves CustomizeMyPlates. Unfortunately, it seems that the company has since been forced to cancel all orders that were placed through them for custom PS5 faceplates following a legal letter from Sony that threatened a lawsuit should they proceed.

Speaking to VGC in an email, the company said, “Before we launched, we did our due diligence and were of the opinion, that because Sony only had pending patents on the faceplates there would be no problem. But after only a day of our website being live, Sony’s lawyers asked us to change our name (at the time PlateStation5), due to trademark infringements. We thought this switch would be enough to keep everyone happy, and honestly were hoping so since we were already underway with our product development.”

Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party is divided over when to hold a general election, after Suga Yoshihide took over as prime minister last week.

LDP leader Suga told reporters last week that he will prioritize the country's response to the coronavirus and its economic fallout.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu told reporters on Wednesday that the police will investigate the matter and that the government will examine the results of the investigation.

Kato noted that the Consumer Affairs Agency has imposed administrative penalties on Japan Life four times. He also said that strict measures have been taken against the firm's malicious business practices. He added that the agency is examining ways to protect consumers.

Lawyers for the victims say Japan Life solicited clients by displaying on company materials an invitation to a party funded by the Japanese government. The invitation was addressed to the firm's former chairman.

The company allegedly showed potential clients documents at seminars and other events in 2015. The documents reportedly said, "Chairman Yamaguchi Takayoshi has received an invitation from the prime minister" to an annual cherry blossom-viewing party.

A newly formed opposition party in Japan, the Democratic Party for the People, has officially approved the lineup of party executives.

The opposition group held its inaugural meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Japan's main ruling party has elected Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide its new leader.

The 71-year-old politician is virtually assured to succeed Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who announced last month his intention to step down to deal with his health.

Edano Yukio, the inaugural leader of Japan's newly expanded opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, has revealed his choices for party executive positions.

The original CDP will officially merge with another opposition party, the Democratic Party for the People, on Tuesday.

Two of Japan's biggest opposition groups are merging to challenge the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and gain control of the Diet.

The alliance on Thursday voted as its leader Edano Yukio, the head of one of the groups, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Edano said "if the LDP tries to dissolve the Lower House to hold an election and escape debating us in the Diet, we'll be ready to take them on and provide an alternative for the people."

Campaigning for the leadership of a new opposition party in Japan kicks off on Monday. The party is being created through a merger of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party for the People.

Two lawmakers are expected to run -- Constitutional Democratic Party leader Edano Yukio and Izumi Kenta, chair of the Policy Research Committee of the Democratic Party for the People.