Ex-Japan PM Aso vows to maintain LDP faction as "policy group"

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso pledged Saturday to maintain his faction within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party as a "policy group," with the latest political funds scandal increasing public distrust in politics.Aso has become the first leader of the LDP's factions to declare the continuation of such a group, as four of them, including one that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida headed until late December, decided to disband earlier this month.In internal reform proposals approved on Thursday, the LDP promised to move away from factions as vehicles for securing funds and allocating im…READ FULL ARTICLE