Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering imposing severe punishments on four of its senior members over their involvement in a political funds scandal, with non-endorsement in elections among the possible penalties, sources familiar with the matter said Saturday.The four members in question are former education minister Ryu Shionoya, former LDP policy chief Hakubun Shimomura, former trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura -- all House of Representatives members -- and Hiroshige Seko, former LDP secretary general in the House of Councillors.According to the sources, Prime Minister F…READ FULL ARTICLE