S/ Ishiba Shigeru, Prime Minister / We will promptly compile the proposal of the Liberal Democratic Party and make efforts to gain the cooperation of many other parties to enable necessary legislative measures by the end of this year.

Ishiba made the remarks after being designated as Japan's 103rd prime minister in parliament and forming his second Cabinet on November 11.

He was referring to plans to address issues involving money and politics by taking legislative measures such as revising the political funds control law by the end of the year.

As for LDP lawmakers implicated in the slush fund scandal involving some party factions, Ishiba said he will urge them to utilize various platforms including the Deliberative Council on Political Ethics in parliament to correct their ways.

The prime minister, who doubles as head of the LDP, said he has decided to discuss the future of policy activity fees which his party provides to its lawmakers including the possibility of abolishing the practice.

The provision of policy activity fees from political parties to their respective members has been criticized as recipients are not required to disclose how the money is spent.

Ishiba asked other political parties and factions to similarly discuss the matter.

Concerning the monthly allowance of 1 million yen given to each lawmaker, he said he will indicate whether parliamentarians should disclose its usage and return any unused amount.

Ishiba has retained most members of his Cabinet.

New appointments are Suzuki Keisuke as minister of justice, Eto Taku as minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and Nakano Hiromasa of coalition partner Komeito as minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism.

Asked about the opposition Democratic Party for the People's calls for raising the tax-exempt income threshold from the current 1.03 million yen to 1.78 million yen, Ishiba said the ruling party will consider the matter sincerely.