Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responds to a question from Yoshihiko Noda, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, during a Lower House plenary session on Oct. 7. (Takeshi Iwashita)

The leader of the main opposition party took shots at Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in his first Diet debate since taking office on Oct. 1.

During the extraordinary Diet session on Oct. 7, Yoshihiko Noda, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, criticized Ishiba’s handling of the scandal over unreported funds in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Ishiba earlier in the day said the LDP will not endorse certain lawmakers disciplined in the scandal for the Lower House election expected on Oct. 27.

“Is it true you have no intention of reopening the investigation into the political fund scandal?” Noda asked Ishiba, the LDP president, in the Lower House. “Isn’t it likely that many of the members will still be endorsed rather than a significant number being denied endorsement?”

Ishiba responded, “At this point, we have made no specific decisions regarding which lawmakers will be endorsed.”

He added, “I do not believe we attempted to conclude the matter with lenient penalties.”

Noda delivered his questions in a speech-like manner for about 30 minutes, while Ishiba read from his notes throughout his 15-minute reply.

Keiichi Ishii, leader of the LDP’s junior coalition partner, Komeito, also posed questions.

The questioning will continue in the Upper House on Oct. 8, with the Diet session set to conclude the following day.

Earlier on the session, Noda asked Seiichiro Murakami, the new internal affairs minister, about his past criticism of the “Abenomics” policies of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

When Noda asked Murakami to evaluate Abenomics, the Cabinet minister said, “It is understood that the policies created a situation where Japan is no longer in deflation, increased GDP and expanded employment.”

Murakami also said he had received instructions from Ishiba to prioritize overcoming deflation and expanding investment in growth sectors.

“As a member of the Cabinet, I will fully commit to the duties assigned to me,” he said.

In 2017, during the Abe administration, Murakami founded the “anti-Abenomics study group.”

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