S/ Ishiba Shigeru, LDP Leader and Prime Minister of Japan: We have received extremely harsh judgments from the people. I will eliminate any internal logic or party logic that the public may have perceived and go back to the basics to promote strict reforms within the party, especially in the area of politics and money. 

Prime Minister Ishiba said on October 28 that he will hold a non-partisan discussion on the abolition of policy activity expenses, disclosure of the use of former correspondence expenses, and the establishment of a third-party organization, and will work to realize these issues as soon as possible. 

He also emphasized his intention to continue in office without resigning, saying, “I will fulfill the responsibilities of my office.” He also said he will cooperate with the opposition parties on policy issues. 

S/ Ishiba Shigeru, LDP Leader and Prime Minister of Japan: At this point in time, we are not expanding the current coalition. First of all, we will humbly adopt each policy for the sake of the Japanese nation and its people. This means that we will humbly adopt each policy for the sake of the nation and the people. We must start with a good discussion. I believe that we must start from this point. 

As for the additional approval of the so-called slush fund lawmakers who have been elected, he said, “We’d like to carefully decide based on whether we can gain the public's understanding.” 

He also said that “a decision must be made as soon as possible” regarding the replacement of the cabinet ministers who were not elected to the House of Representatives and the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party election committee, Koizumi Shinjiro, who resigned from his post.