Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has instructed factions of the main governing Liberal Democratic Party to refrain from holding fundraising events until the party takes steps to regain the public's trust.

Five factions of the LDP allegedly underreported the revenues from sales of tickets for fundraising events.

The party's largest faction is also suspected of giving kickbacks to dozens of members who exceeded their quotas for the sales of such tickets. This faction was once led by late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

Kishida said at Wednesday's meeting of government and ruling bloc officials it is regrettable that the party's factional activities have invited public mistrust.

He pledged that the party will unite and tackle the problem with urgency.

Kishida then discussed the matter with seven senior officials of the LDP, including Vice President Aso Taro and Secretary General Motegi Toshimitsu, at party headquarters.

The prime minister later told reporters he asked the officials to have the party's factions refrain from holding fundraisers, as well as large-scale gatherings such as year-end and New Year parties.