thejapantimes, 
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. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/05/japan/politics/ldp-punishments-analysis/ #japan #politics #ldp #politicalfunds #koichihagiuda #toshimitsumotegi #hiroshigeseko #fumiokishida #toshihironikai