Japan's Kishida says will not dissolve parliament after party's failure in 3 by-elections

On Sunday, Japan's ruling conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost two by-elections in the prefectures of Shimane and Nagasaki, and one in Tokyo amid public criticism of its fundraising practices, Japanese media reported.

"I take the results of the by-elections very seriously and hard. The issue of money obtained from political donations has largely affected (the situation)... We will focus on resolving the issues and delivering the result, and I absolutely do not think of it (dissolving the parliament)," Kishida told reporters.

The Japanese prime minister apologised to the party's candidate in Shimane prefecture and other supporters, saying that the Liberal Democratic Party would resolve the issues to deliver results and take responsibility.

Kishida vowed to conduct reforms of the ruling party and the political system, resolve salary issues and take measures to combat the inflation.

The by-election in the Nagasaki constituency was called after the LDP lawmaker stepped down in January in response to a scandal related to the party's failure to report several million dollars' worth of funding that is believed to have gone into slush funds. In a similar case, the by-election in Tokyo's district was called after the senior vice justice minister resigned over allegations of bribing voters. LDP did not field candidates in Tokyo and Nagasaki following the developments.

The failure of Kishida's party to secure Shimane prefecture, which is traditionally seen as a conservative stronghold, is reportedly expected to undermine his standing ahead of the next general election and the LDP leadership contest, slated for this fall.

-- BERNAMA