LDP OKs proposals to allow factions to continue as policy groups

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday approved internal reform proposals that stopped short of demanding the dissolution of its factions, following a political funds scandal involving some of the intraparty groups.An interim report compiled by the party's reform panel, presided over by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, pledged to move away from factions as vehicles for securing funds and allocating important government and party posts for lawmakers while allowing them to continue as "policy groups."Later in the day, Kishida denied having any intention of resigning over the scandal…READ FULL ARTICLE