Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and three ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers were warned after leaving the chamber moments before a vote on a bill to cut the food‑consumption tax, Tokyo police said on Nov. 9, 2026.
Xinhua reported that the LDP’s election authority filed the complaints, making this the first time a former prime minister has faced such discipline within the party.
The lawmakers were accused of walking out before the parliamentary debate on the bill, which would reduce the tax on food. The motion had been set for a decisive vote earlier that day.
Asahi Shimbun had previously covered the case, noting the split vote stalled the tax‑cut proposal and left party members scrambling to secure the required majority. The party’s press office said the warnings aimed to remind legislators to respect internal processes.
