The controversy involves alleged 500 million yen ($3.4 million) kickbacks to LDP members who sold extra tickets for party fundraisers.

This has undermined public trust and coincides with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's plummeting approval ratings amid economic concerns and previous scandals.

Kishida, addressing the issue, has vowed to regain the public's confidence.

Prosecutors are intensifying their investigation, which implicates members of a faction formerly led by the late Shinzo Abe and possibly ex-Olympics minister Seiko Hashimoto.

Despite a recent cabinet reshuffle and economic stimulus measures, Kishida faces a challenging political landscape with speculation about a potential early election.