The faction led by Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taro Aso, 86, has collected about ¥2 billion in political funding party income over 18 years, Weekly Bunshun reported.
The figure comes from 18 years of political funding balance reports. The faction's total income over that period was about ¥3 billion, and party proceeds accounted for roughly ¥2 billion of it.
The faction that stayed
Aso's faction is the only one that chose to keep operating after the slush-fund scandal that followed the former Abe faction, Bunshun reported. Others disbanded. The faction added members after February's lower house election and now has about 60 lawmakers.
It began in 2006 as the Shisuikai, succeeding the group of former lower house speaker Yohei Kono, and became the Shisuikai it is today in 2017 after merging with the group led by the Santo faction.
A person connected to the faction told Bunshun that since the merger it has used a large banquet room at the Hotel New Otani, drawing crowds of lawmakers and supporters for lavish events.
“Even for the Shisuikai you mention, I understand that we are responding in accordance with related laws and regulations, including the Political Funds Control Act. As for Aso himself, he takes seriously the responsibility of having been elected by the voters of Fukuoka No. 8, and intends to fulfill his duties properly.”Aso's office, in a statement to Weekly Bunshun, response to questions from the magazine
Earlier reporting on spending
In its October 8 issue, Bunshun reported that about ¥80 million in political funds had gone to the operating company of a members-only salon in Roppongi run by a woman described as Aso's mistress, raising questions about how the money was used.
Aso has served as prime minister and finance minister, and is vice president in the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Bunshun described him as a "shadow shogun" who has led debate on revising the Imperial House Law from behind the scenes.
The magazine said its current issue and the edition on sale Thursday carry further details, including scenes from the faction's parties, the names of large buyers of party tickets, a reporter's visit to a faction meeting, Aso's role in installing Eriko Imai as a cabinet office parliamentary vice minister, and the risks facing his large personal fortune.