Japan - August 14, 2024

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's decision to withdraw from party leadership elections, that would see his term in office end after three years, should not prevent him being held accountable for the country's economic decline and a slush fund scandal in his ruling party, according to some Tokyo residents interviewed on Wednesday.

Kishida, whose support has been in decline for months amid voter frustration over his handling of the scandal, announced on Wednesday that he won't run in the election of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in September.

The scandal centers around accusations that several major party backers were suspected of giving money to LDP lawmakers from sales of fundraising tickets, without reporting the sums as political donations.

A Tokyo resident said Kishida's effective resignation was meant to regain voters' trust in the ruling party following the political scandal.

The prime minister also faced public discontent over Japan's economic malaise, with wages failing to keep up with the rising cost of living after the country finally shook off years of deflationary pressure.

Kishida's handling of a recent national disaster in the county was also criticized by a Tokyo resident.

Shotlist:
Tokyo, Japan - Aug 14, 2024:
1. Various of National Diet of Japan;
2. Traffic sign reading "The National Diet Main Gate";
3. Japanese national flag;
Tokyo, Japan - Aug 14, 2024
4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Local resident (name not given):
"If no one takes responsibility for issues like the slush fund scandal, it will be difficult to eliminate the public's distrust of the Liberal Democratic Party.";
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown
5. Various of traffic, pedestrians;
Tokyo, Japan - Aug 14, 2024
6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Local resident (name not given):
"The people around me are all having a hard time. Prices are rising, and taxes are increasing. People around me often say their lives are very hard.";
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown
7. Various of traffic, pedestrians;
Tokyo, Japan - Aug 14, 2024
8. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Local resident (name not given) (ending with shot 9):
"A major earthquake hit Ishikawa Prefecture in January. I saw related news. The water supply pipelines have not been restored, and the elderly could not live in makeshift housing and had to live in shelters. It has been half a year, and I can still see such news. I think we should pay more attention to the domestic situation in Japan.";
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - April 16, 2024
9. Various of traffic, pedestrians.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]