A political tug of war continues in Japan over the fundraising scandal that has rocked the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Five LDP lawmakers will appear before a Diet committee later this week, but the LDP and opposition camp don't agree on whether the session should be open or closed.

The scandal again dominated Monday's Diet debate. Opposition lawmakers are demanding that the ethics committee session be open.

Questioning Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Kii Takashi of the Constitutional Democratic Party said, "It's a betrayal of the public to oppose an open session, despite your promise of accountability. As LDP president, you should instruct your party to agree to a fully open session."
Kishida said in reply, "I expect the best way will be taken from the viewpoint of fulfilling accountability. It's the LDP's basic policy to urge its members to try to explain themselves whenever possible."

Even within the LDP, a senior member echoed the opposition's call. Ishiba Shigeru, former LDP Secretary-General, said, "It's hard to find rational reasons to make the session closed. I personally think it should be held openly."

The five LDP members set to appear include former Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu and former trade minister Nishimura Yasutoshi.

The five and dozens of other LDP lawmakers are accused of failing to properly declare fundraising revenue and of receiving kickbacks.

Most belonged to what used to be the LDP's largest faction, led by late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

The LDP again proposed a closed-door session, taking into account the wishes of the five lawmakers. But the opposition group repeated their demand, saying the five should explain directly to the public to fulfil their accountability.

The LDP later offered the compromise of making the session open, but only for fellow lawmakers and not for the press or public. But the offer wasn't accepted by the opposition. The two sides plan to continue negotiations on Tuesday.