Japan's LDP faces fresh scrutiny over misuse of political funds: report

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was hit by a fresh wave of scandals following a media report on Saturday that several of the party's regional chapters used political funds to pay for entertainment at bars and nightclubs.

According to the report from the Japanese daily newspaper, Kobe Shimbun, at least five LDP chapters in Mie, Osaka, Yamaguchi, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima prefectures used political funds to cover expenses at nightlife venues, totaling around 1.11 million yen (about 7,124 U.S. dollars) in 2023.

Relevant regulations state that single expenditures under 50,000 yen (about 320 U.S. dollars) do not need to be itemized in political funding reports, leading to concerns that the actual amount of misappropriated funds could be significantly higher.

The report said that the LDP's chapter in Osaka Prefecture defended the spending in response to the allegations, claiming the expenses were intended to create a smooth atmosphere for communication. Meanwhile, chapters in Mie and Nagasaki prefectures stated they intend to strengthen their management of funds.

This development came amidst a series of funding irregularities involving high-ranking LDP officials.

Takayuki Kobayashi, chairman of the Policy Research Council, heads a branch accused of failing to record a donation of 300,000 yen (about 1,925 U.S. dollars). A chapter led by Minister of Finance Satsuki Katayama allegedly failed to record funds totaling over 500,000 yen (about 3,200 U.S. dollars).

Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kenichiro Ueno faces allegations that his related political group paid political funds to a "fan club" for a female singer. Prime Minister and LDP President Sanae Takaichi heads a branch currently accused of accepting illegal corporate donations.

Japan's LDP faces fresh scrutiny over misuse of political funds: report

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Ukraine stands ready to agree to security guarantees based on NATO's Article 5 as part of a compromise in the peace process, according to media reports.

"From the very beginning, Ukraine's desire was to join NATO, these are real security guarantees. Some partners from the United States and Europe did not support this direction," the Ukrinform news agency quoted Zelensky.

Zelensky said Article 5-like guarantees from the United States and from European partners, as well as from other countries, "would provide an opportunity to prevent another arrival of Russian troops." He also called it "a compromise on our part."

Zelensky said he was not yet ready to disclose specific details of the proposed security guarantees, saying they would be known in a day or two.

Ukrainian president arrived in Berlin on Sunday afternoon for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders.

German newspaper Bild reported that Zelensky may also hold talks with representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump, but did not elaborate further.

According to Ukrinform, Zelensky said the same day that Ukraine must be prepared for any possible developments regarding elections.

"I asked our partners to assist with the security situation if elections are held, and I said that lawmakers should prepare options for how this could be implemented if the situation develops in that direction. They should work out, in the near future, options for holding elections," he said in a statement in response to journalists' questions.

He said he had received "signals" from the United States and President Trump regarding Ukraine's presidential election.

Ukraine says ready to accept NATO-style security guarantees