Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responds to questions from opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda during a Lower House plenary session on Nov. 4. (Yasumasa Kikuchi)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi apologized in the Diet for the money scandal that has embroiled the ruling Liberal Democratic Party but indicated the issue has concluded, drawing jeers from opposition lawmakers.

Party leaders on Nov. 4 posed questions to the prime minister in the Lower House mainly about her Oct. 24 policy speech.

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, asked Takaichi if the issue of money and politics had been properly resolved in the LDP.

“As LDP president, I sincerely apologize for having damaged public trust in politics,” she responded. “Each lawmaker involved has taken responsibility by offering sincere and thorough explanations.”

In the scandal, various LDP factions and lawmakers failed to report large sums of money gained through fund-raising parties.

“What’s important is to never repeat such incidents,” Takaichi said. “I am committed to taking a strict stance on political funding issues and to establishing an LDP that thoroughly complies with rules, including the revised Political Fund Control Law.”

Opposition lawmakers in the chamber jeered her comments.

Noda also asked the prime minister if she could confirm reports from the White House that she told U.S. President Donald Trump during their Oct. 28 summit that she would recommend him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

“If you did tell him that, it would be excessive flattery diplomacy and reckless,” Noda said.

Takaichi replied, “I will refrain from answering.”

More jeers erupted in the Lower House over her non-answer.

But Takaichi was clear on her strong intent to pursue constitutional revision.

“We need to update the Constitution in line with international developments and societal changes. I believe creating a Constitution that meets the demands of the times is an urgent task,” she said.

She mentioned changing war-renouncing Article 9 and establishing emergency clauses.

“I am determined to work persistently and with full effort to create an environment where a national referendum on constitutional revision can be held as soon as possible,” Takaichi said.

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