Japan's LDP admits to funding branches led by scandal-hit members

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday came under fresh scrutiny ahead of a weekend general election after revelations that it had provided funds to local chapters headed by members running without official endorsements due to their involvement in a money scandal.According to a party source, the LDP allocated 20 million yen ($130,000) to each chapter, regardless of who heads it. However, the practice drew immediate criticism from opposition party leaders, who viewed it as a way to covertly support scandal-hit members running without the LDP's official backing.The latest develo…READ FULL ARTICLE