Prime Minister Fumio Kishida¡¯s punitive actions toward 39 Liberal Democratic Party members caught up in a slush funds scandal was about finding scapegoats and shoring up potential allies for key elections later this month and beyond, experts say.
Despite Kishida¡¯s hopes, however, the results are unlikely to raise his support rate or strengthen his position within the party as it faces three crucial Lower House by-elections on April 28, where a poor performance by the LDP could further damage an already weak prime minister.
Particularly noteworthy is the difference in punishments between two senior leaders of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe¡¯s faction.
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