Executives from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) said they will cancel their scheduled political fundraiser parties in an apparent effort to stave off criticism from ruling and opposition lawmakers questioning the party's consistency regarding its plan to legally ban such practices.
CDP Secretary-General Katsuya Okada had planned to hold a party in Osaka Prefecture on Monday, but then told reporters on Saturday that he will switch to a regular lecture and repay all the money raised for the event.
The reason for canceling the party was because “it’s quite a sensitive time now, as bills to revise the political funds control law are being deliberated in parliament. I did not want to bring any negative impact to the deliberation,” Okada said.
He also mentioned the Shizuoka Prefecture gubernatorial election on Sunday, which is effectively a showdown between the ruling and opposition parties.
Hiroshi Ogushi, chairman of the CDP's election campaign committee, had also planned a party on June 17 in Tokyo but announced that he will cancel the event.
"After consulting with my supporters' association, I have decided not to hold the party,” he said
Last week, the CDP submitted a bill to the Lower House to ban lawmakers from having fundraiser parties starting in January 2026.
At a news conference on Friday, CDP chief Kenta Izumi said holding fundraiser parties would be acceptable for the time being, adding that the party "does not prohibit parties until the bill comes into effect. Transitional measures are obviously necessary."
"I have no intention of saying that it is wrong to hold a party from now on," Okada said, adding that "it would be better to wait and see how the political reform process is settled.”