In an unexpected move that sent shock waves through Japan¡¯s political establishment Friday night, three major Liberal Democratic Party factions announced they would disband amid a slush fund scandal.
The party¡¯s largest faction, formerly led by Shinzo Abe, the faction most recently led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the one led by former Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai each made formal announcements Friday and declared they would cease to exist as political groups.
¡°I would like to express my sincere regret for the loss of trust of citizens and everyone involved over the large amount of (faction) money, in the expense report,¡± Ryu Shionoya, chairman of the Abe faction, told reporters Friday evening, in reference to political slush funds that were not recorded in legally required political funds reports.
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