Special Task Force Starts Debate On Future Of LDP Factions

A special task force created to oversee reforms of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held its first meeting today, with former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi backing the call for the dissolution of the party's factions, which have organised internal politics since the creation of the LDP in 1955.

• The idea to get rid of factions was proposed by former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who became part of the newly created task force. Suga himself has been unaffiliated for most of his political career and has been critical of his successor Fumio Kishida for a decision to remain a faction head while serving as PM.
• The debate on the role of factions has been revived by a political funding scandal, which put the LDP's tarnished reputation under further pressure. The revelation of repeated failures to declare revenue from fundraising events by members of a faction previously led by Shinzo Abe led to a shake-up of the Cabinet and party executives.
• Asahi reports that Suga's and Koizumi's call to get rid of formalised factions did not resonate with party executives, including current faction leaders. Koizumi clarified his position, noting that party members should be able to form genuine "policy groups" but not factions pursuing money and political positions.
• The new task force is looking to draft an interim report by the time the next regular session of parliament is convened, which may take place on January 26. Opposition parties have argued that factional leaders have too much influence within the panel and are unlikely to greenlight any major changes to the existing rule.