Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responds to reporters at the prime minister’s office on Oct. 22. (Takeshi Iwashita)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration gave senior vice minister or parliamentary secretary posts to seven lawmakers implicated in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s fund-raising scandal, drawing immediate criticism.

Under the previous Ishiba Cabinet, such lawmakers were excluded from these key posts.

The scandal, in which factions and lawmakers in the LDP failed to properly report money gained through fund-raising parties, was cited as a reason the party lost its majority in the 2024 Lower House election.

The government on Oct. 22 announced the names of the 26 new senior vice ministers and 28 parliamentary secretaries.

Four lawmakers implicated in the scandal were named vice ministers: Iwao Horii (Foreign Ministry), Yukinori Nemoto (farm ministry), Hajime Sasaki (land ministry), and Yasuyuki Sakai (land ministry).

Three others were appointed as parliamentary secretaries: Harumi Takahashi (Finance Ministry), Takuo Komori (economy ministry), and Ryusho Kato (land ministry).

All seven of the scandal-hit lawmakers belong to the former Abe faction, the group that had the largest amount of unreported funds.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has previously stated that the fund-raising issue would “not affect personnel decisions,” saying the implicated lawmakers have already been disciplined by the party or gone through elections.

“We understand that the lawmakers have fulfilled their responsibilities through party discipline, resignations from posts, and explanations at the political ethics review board,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a news conference on Oct. 22.

However, criticism from opposition parties is expected to intensify, particularly over the appointment of Kei Sato as deputy chief Cabinet secretary.

Sato failed to report 3.06 million yen ($20,070) in political funds and has not faced an election since the scandal broke.

The government and the LDP decided on Oct. 22 that a proxy would temporarily handle Sato’s duties in the Diet Steering Committee, where he would normally be responsible for explaining legislation.

Some within the LDP believe the absence of Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) members from these posts influenced decisions on the appointments.

Despite joining the LDP in a coalition, Ishin opted for “cooperation outside the Cabinet” and did not provide members for senior vice minister or parliamentary secretary posts.

“Since all posts had to be filled by LDP members, we had no choice but to appoint lawmakers involved in the scandal,” a veteran LDP Upper House member said.

In line with Takaichi’s campaign pledge to promote women in politics, eight women were appointed as vice ministers or parliamentary secretaries, up from six in the previous administration.

Since the LDP returned to power in 2012, the most women appointed to such roles was 11 in the second Kishida Cabinet.

Kihara said at the news conference: “Personnel decisions were made based on merit. Gender equality in politics is important.”

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