TOKYO -- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is considering requesting that the so-called "slush fund lawmakers," who received kickbacks from fundraising party income and failed to report the funds, repay the unreported amounts, and donating the equivalent sum of money to the national treasury, multiple senior government officials told the Mainichi Shimbun on Nov. 10.

According to the LDP's investigation, there were 85 members involved in unreported or misreported income from party ticket kickbacks or commissions, totaling approximately 579.49 million yen (about $3.78 million).

While specific plans for the donation process will be discussed within the party, those involved in the slush fund scandal will be asked to take responsibility by returning the unreported funds to their former factions or the party. The LDP would then make donations equivalent to the unreported funds to the treasury or disaster-affected areas.

The party is also considering including former members who lost their seats in the recent House of Representatives election in the donation plan. The matter is expected to be finalized in the LDP General Council after party executives decide on the details, and completed by year-end.

Some members have already voluntarily refunded the unreported amounts to their factions and other bodies.

According to a source close to the matter, the party leadership had considered a similar plan under then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, but was shelved due to opposition from some members. In the LDP presidential election in September, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato proposed returning unreported funds to the treasury.

The LDP faced a crushing defeat in the October general election, losing a majority in the lower house even with its coalition partner Komeito. On Nov. 9, Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who also heads the LDP, and demanded clear accountability on the "money in politics" issues. Ishiba responded that he was planning "concrete measures."

(Japanese original by Yusuke Kaite, Political News Department)