ATTEMPT TO “CLEANSE THE PARTY”
Mr Noda is also displeased with the LDP’s incomplete investigation of its slush fund scandal.
“The LDP’s leader was replaced; the prime minister has changed. But its politics is not changing. A change of government is the needed political reform,” he said.
His party is aiming for the opposition to unseat the ruling coalition at the coming election.
According to media polls, the majority of the public are unhappy with the ruling party’s handling of its political funds scandal, which came to light late last year.
Even the LDP’s coalition partner, the Komeito party, has called for political reform. Yet, Komeito is still endorsing LDP members involved in the scandal, a move questioned by the opposition.
Komeito president Keiichi Ishii said these lawmakers have “thoroughly explained to local electorates and promised not to repeat the mistakes.
“Based on those, we consider what people on the ground wish for,” he added.
Dr Tomohiko Taniguchi, a special adviser at think tank Fujitsu Future Studies Center, said the snap election is likely an attempt “to cleanse the party”.
“If the party wins, the party leaders, including Ishiba, may believe that it would wipe the slate clean of any fundraising scandals that have haunted the party for some time,” he told CNA938 on Monday.
