Prime Minister Ishiba's decision to deny party endorsement to lawmakers involved in the "slush fund" scandal dominated the day's news. Early reports indicated a harsh stance, with Ishiba refusing to allow these lawmakers to run on both constituency and proportional representation lists. By midday, it was confirmed that at least six prominent LDP members, including Hagiuda and Shimomura, would be denied party backing. This move, seen as an attempt to regain public trust, caused significant internal party tension. The decision evolved throughout the day, with more details emerging about the extent of the purge. In parallel, sports news highlighted Shohei Ohtani's postseason performance for the Dodgers, providing a contrasting narrative of Japanese success on the international stage.
