Fumio Kishida

Kishida proposed a one-off reduction in income and residential taxes of 40 000 yen per person, supplemented by payments to households not liable for tax. The measure was criticised as complex, belated and intended to revive his declining popularity.

State of the evidence

Official measure and unpopularity documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct political responsibility

The scandal involving undeclared fundraising party revenue affected several LDP factions, including Kōchikai, which Kishida had long led. A former accountant of his faction was prosecuted over omissions; Kishida appeared before a parliamentary ethics committee, dissolved his faction and initiated reforms. He subsequently decided not to seek another term as LDP leader.

State of the evidence

Faction accounting omissions and prosecution of accountant documented

Legal status — source text

Former faction accountant sanctioned through summary proceedings; case against Kishida closed without further action due to absence of suspicion

Attribution

Political responsibility as former faction head and LDP president; personal criminal responsibility not established

Photographs showed Shotaro Kishida and relatives posing in ceremonial areas of the official residence, including on the staircase used for cabinet photographs and behind the Prime Minister's lectern. Kishida ultimately announced his son's replacement.

State of the evidence

Photographs and behaviour documented, followed by departure

Legal status — source text

No criminal proceedings

Attribution

Actual conduct attributable to his son; Kishida's political responsibility for the appointment and its handling

A revision of public remuneration reportedly would have increased the Prime Minister's salary by approximately 460 000 yen per year while households faced inflation. In response to criticism, Kishida and ministers announced that they would return the entire increase to the Treasury.

State of the evidence

Bill, criticism and announced repayment documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct political responsibility for the government bill

The Kishida government adopted a plan to raise defence spending to approximately 2% of GDP and acquire long-range strike capabilities. Partial funding through future levies on businesses, income and tobacco provoked substantial opposition, including within the LDP.

State of the evidence

Strategic change and tax proposal documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct political responsibility as Prime Minister

Following Shinzo Abe's assassination, Kishida decided to organise a state-funded national funeral. The public cost, absence of precise legal criteria and controversies surrounding Abe prompted strong opposition in opinion polls and demonstrations.

State of the evidence

Government decision and public opposition documented

Legal status — source text

No criminal proceedings

Attribution

Direct political responsibility as Prime Minister

Following Abe's assassination, links between numerous LDP lawmakers and the Unification Church triggered a political crisis. Kishida reshuffled his government, asked lawmakers to sever their ties, apologised on behalf of the party and ordered an administrative investigation into the organisation.

State of the evidence

Links involving numerous lawmakers, reshuffle and official apologies documented

Legal status — source text

No personal criminal wrongdoing by Kishida established

Attribution

Political responsibility as LDP president, without automatically attributing other lawmakers' links to him

Kishida appointed his son Shotaro as the Prime Minister's executive secretary for political affairs. The decision fuelled accusations of nepotism and the blurring of boundaries between family succession and government functions.

State of the evidence

Appointment and public criticism documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct personal responsibility for the appointment