Japan PM apologizes for party’s church links, will cut ties

By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says his ruling party will cut ties with the Unification Church following a widening scandal triggered by former leader Shinzo Abe’s assassination last month. Widespread cozy ties between members of Kishida’s governing Liberal Democratic Party and the church have surfaced since Abe’s death in July. The suspect allegedly told police he killed Abe because of his apparent link to the church. Dozens of party members have since acknowledged their ties to the church and related organizations. Kishida purged his Cabinet of seven ministers with church ties earlier in August, but more ministers and aides have admitted ties since. Kishida also apologized over the loss of public trust in politics because of the scandal.