LDP lawmaker's arrest over funds scandal further blurs Kishida's fate

will try to restore the public's trust in politics by setting up a "political reform" panel, which he will lead, 

Comedy gold.

On Sunday, Ikeda, a lower house lawmaker, was arrested on suspicion of having received a total of 48.26 million yen five years through 2022 from slush funds created by the faction formerly led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

More of Abe's scandals from even beyond the grave.

You have to wonder how disconnected from the public Kishida must be to think making this panel (conformed by the same people that benefited from the funds) would be taken as a positive development.

Unfortunately for the public Kishida's fate is irrelevant, he is only the latest face representing the same political and economical model. Without a strong and coherent opposition the next PM will just keep doing the same.

This is what I learned over the years,

Politicians LIE! some may ask why or how?

In order to become one you must master Politics and Politics is the ART and SKILLS of getting people you govern or deal with to agree to a set of rules, laws, terms, and other activities that you wish to implement or negotiate, so in order to accomplish this you need to get as many people onboard but when having so many different opinions and views from different members that's when the ( well some call it politics ) but it's lies to get the job done.

"I don't think the public has any expectations for the panel," Izumi said.

Isn't that the point? Isn't that the whole point of the charade of Japanese politics: to continually mop up any unreasonable expectations

The panel is a non-starter. I've got a better solution. Why don't they make kickbacks legal in Japan? Politicians would be able to drop the pretence that they are not corrupt.

Later, however, Kishida was criticized by opposition parties for picking former Prime Minister Taro Aso, the LDP vice president who is the leader of another powerful faction, as an adviser to the panel.

Aso should be PM again. He still has plenty to offer. He's two years older than Biden, but he doesn't have to be carried off a stage like Joe does.

in the not-so-distant future

next Sunday, A.D.

"Rather than being compelled to step down while being told that he will not be the face of the next election, why doesn't he take on the funds issues and show his willingness sacrifice himself?," Mikuriya said

or “why doesn’t he, do anything useful?”

would be a much simpler term.

It's bad behavior but in the big scheme of things, small stuff indeed. Reminds me of the rescue volunteer in Ishikawa eating someone's fruit, while searching homes.

These salaried politicians are stretched financially, making the pocket money very tempting, like the cold hungry volunteer in Ishikawa needing an apple.

Real political 'crimes' involve selling their influence in order to support special interests' policy agendas. Such corrupt changes in public policy are almost NEVER in public's interest but rather solely for special interests.

This politician is like drug runner who got caught, while working for his powerful mafia bosses = real criminals

Vote purchases.

In 1947 Vote buying became known or brought forth. Trust me. It had been going on for long long time in Japan. Centuries.

But one real bad case of Vote buying took place in Hiroshima.

Katsuyuki Kawai and his wife, Anri, Out of Hiroshima paid dearly for this practice.

The Kawais were both convicted of vote-buying in the election and forced to vacate their seats in the Diet.

Katsuyuki received a three-year prison sentence for distributing a total of 28.71 million yen to 100 people, while his wife was given a suspended sentence for handing out a total of 1.6 million yen to four prefectural assembly members. They were destroyed. I mean their life was.

Vote buying. This has been going in Japan since the time, before a democracy system arrived in Japan. Centuries. Its just the way it is in Japan and always will be. It depends on how large of an area was bought to vote for one candidate.

The trick is. Do not get caught. The higher you go. The thicker the insulating becomes.

Kishida is well insulated. War is coming at some point and with in this decade. . I am sure of this.

Guys like Kishida will be needed. God forbid a war break out.