Taro Aso, vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party, criticized former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and three other lawmakers on Thursday for leaving the lower house floor during a vote on a consumption tax cut bill.
Speaking at a meeting of the Aso faction, Aso said the four had stressed that the LDP had worked hard in the past to introduce the consumption tax and raise its rate. He turned that argument back on them.
“After debate, once the party decides, it is LDP tradition to close ranks and go forward. That is the strength our predecessors built through hard work, and it is what we must protect.”Taro Aso, LDP vice president
The party has issued the four lawmakers a reprimand. Aso said the walkout was a question of governance for the LDP as a political party.
Shinji Inoue, deputy secretary-general of the Aso faction, disclosed the remarks to reporters after the meeting, the Mainichi Shimbun reported.