Key Facts
• In the 2024 House of Representatives election, 3 unendorsed candidates used party funds.
• These candidates were involved in a factional slush fund scandal and ran as independents.
• Each candidate received ¥500,000, ¥550,000, and ¥735,000 from their party branches.
• 2 of the 3 candidates won their elections, while 1 lost.
• The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) unendorsed 12 candidates for unreported political funds.
• 10 of these candidates ran as independents, while 3 chose not to run.
• Experts criticized the use of party funds, citing a lack of accountability to voters.
• Party branches include funds from the LDP headquarters and local chapters.
• Discussions on banning corporate and group donations to party branches were postponed.
• The issue of “money in politics” remains unresolved and will resurface in the Upper House election.
Summary
In the 2024 Japanese House of Representatives election, three candidates unendorsed by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) due to their involvement in a factional slush fund scandal used party branch funds for their campaigns. Despite running as independents, they received ¥500,000, ¥550,000, and ¥735,000 from their respective branches. Two of the three candidates were elected, raising questions about accountability and the ethical use of party funds. Experts argue that unendorsed candidates should not use party resources, as these funds include contributions from the LDP headquarters and local chapters. The LDP had unendorsed 12 candidates for unreported political funds, with 10 running as independents. Meanwhile, discussions on banning corporate and group donations to party branches were postponed indefinitely, leaving the issue of political funding unresolved ahead of the Upper House election.
