Scandal in Ichigaya | This week in Japanese politics

While the prime minister travels, the Defense Ministry uncovers widespread misconduct and the LDP race continues to evolve

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The Ministry of Defense announced it had punished hundreds of civilians and uniformed personnel for misconduct, much of it involving the handling of state secrets. Potential candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) leadership election continue to maneuver, while the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) is still processing the shock of the results of the Tokyo gubernatorial election. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio was in Washington for the NATO summit and then stopped in Berlin before returning to Japan. His government also may have intervened in foreign exchange markets again to bolster the yen, as the weak exchange rate continues to squeeze household incomes. Plus: Kōmeitō may be changing leaders too.

Politics

Defense Minister Kihara Minoru speaks to the press on Friday, 12 July. Screenshot by author.

The Defense Ministry is grappling with a massive scandal after it was revealed that hundreds of civilian bureaucrats and uniformed Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel had committed numerous infractions, including failures to protect state secrets and widespread harassment. Of a total of 220 cases, 113 related to the improper use of designated state secrets. Others were for “power harassment” or being improperly entertained by a defense contractor. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, speaking to reporters in Washington, apologized for the misconduct. The scandal is particularly damaging for the Kishida government as it seeks higher defense spending – perhaps paid for with tax increases – and also seeks closer ties with allies, which requires shedding Japan’s reputation for poor handling of classified information. Parties across the political spectrum expressed their anger.

The administrative vice minister of defense and the chiefs of staff of the SDF’s three services were punished; Maritime Self-Defense Forces chief of staff Sakai Ryō was to have his pay cut but has announced his resignation. Defense Minister Kihara Minoru has said he will not resign but will return a month of his ministerial salary.

Ōnishi Hideo, a member of the House of Representatives from Tokyo who belonged to the former Abe faction, said following the LDP’s poor performance in Tokyo metropolitan assembly by-elections that Kishida should resign and allow the party to select a new leader in September.

The LDP leadership race continues to take shape, although the party is trying to figure out the timing of the vote in light of plans for the prime minister to attend the UN General Assembly in New York in late September. Ishiba Shigeru is inching closer to entering the race for the LDP’s leadership. He also used a television appearance to voice his respect for former prime minister Suga Yoshihide, despite their differences, highlighting the clout Suga could wield in the upcoming campaign. He told reporters on 12 July that he may make a decision after the Obon in August. He also suggested that with the yen weaker than anticipated, it is necessary to modify the defense spending program announced in late 2022.