"First Arrest Made in Japan's Ruling Party Financial Scandal"

Japanese prosecutors have made their first arrest in a financial scandal involving the ruling party, with former vice-education minister Yoshitaka Ikeda being accused of failing to report cash received from fundraising events. The scandal, which has led to a slump in Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's popularity, involves LDP politicians allegedly failing to report around ¥600m in funds, potentially violating campaign and election laws. Kishida, facing dismal approval ratings, has pledged to strengthen fundraising regulations, but speculation is growing about his future and the potential for an internal power struggle within the LDP.