Kishida calls for solidarity at his faction’s political fundraiser

The Yomiuri Shimbun

2:00 JST, May 20, 2022

Fumio Kishida, the prime minister and the president of the Liberal Democratic Party, called for solidarity Wednesday at his 45-member faction’s first political fundraiser since he became prime minister in October last year. This comes ahead of the House of Councillors election that will be held this summer.

“Political stability and political power will be advantageous for the opening of a new era at this turning point in history,” Kishida said at the fundraiser held at a hotel in Tokyo.

Kishida stressed that the upper house election is a poll that his party must win at all costs in order to open a path for the nation’s future.

Party heavyweights from other factions attended the fundraiser, including LDP Vice President Taro Aso and LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi. Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi also participated in the event.

A total of 2,850 people attended the fundraiser. They were given the same type of notebook on which the prime minister is said to have written down the opinions of members of the public. Kishida touted his ability to listen with his notebook during last year’s LDP presidential election.