The ongoing suspicion of ties between Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Unification Church is causing unease as the party prepares for its upcoming presidential election on Sept. 27. A recent photo published by the Asahi Shimbun allegedly shows then-LDP President and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meeting with a senior official of the religious group at the party’s headquarters prior to the 2013 House of Councilors election. Also present in the photo are former Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, Abe’s younger brother, and former LDP policy chief Koichi Hagiuda, a close aide of Abe.
The alleged connection between the LDP and the Unification Church has raised concerns among the public and within the party itself. As the election draws near, these suspicions threaten to overshadow the political landscape and cast doubt on the integrity of the party leadership. The revelation of this meeting has added fuel to the fire of speculation and scrutiny surrounding the LDP’s relationships and alliances. How will these allegations impact the outcome of the presidential election, and what implications will they have for the future of the party?