From Thursday, the prosecutors will start questioning dozens of lawmakers for allegations of receiving about ¥500 million (US$3.50 million) in total in fundraising proceeds missing from official party accounts, Kyodo News reported.

Kishida on Wednesday announced he would replace some Cabinet members in a bid to stem the fallout from the scandal in his Liberal Democratic Party, centred around the Seiwa-kai faction often referred to as “Abe faction”.

The changes, which include chief Cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno – a powerful figure who coordinates policy across government on Kishida’s behalf – are still being finalised.

Meanwhile, ex-foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, who belongs to Kishida’s former faction, told reporters on Thursday morning that the premier had unofficially asked him to succeed Matsuno.

“I would like to fulfil my duties in this challenging situation,” Hayashi told reporters, when asked about his readiness as the government’s top spokesperson.