During a faction meeting on the 19th, Taro Aso, Japan's Deputy Prime Minister, announced the passing of Jun Matsumoto, a long-time political aide and former National Public Safety Commission Chairman, who died unexpectedly at the age of 75. Aso expressed his shock and sadness, stating, "I can't find the words" to describe the loss and emphasized Matsumoto's invaluable contributions from the establishment of the Seiko-kai faction to its operations.

Matsumoto, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in Kanagawa's 1st district in 1996, served as the National Public Safety Commission Chair in 2016, marking his entry into the cabinet. However, he faced significant challenges in recent years, including a controversial visit to a club in Ginza during the COVID-19 emergency declaration, which led to his departure from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He subsequently ran as an independent in the 2021 House of Representatives election but was unsuccessful, and he didn't win a seat in the following elections after rejoining the party.

The passing of Matsumoto not only represents a personal loss for Aso but also signifies a shift within Japan's political landscape, as he has been a key figure in the LDP and its operations. His contributions and the controversies surrounding his later career highlight the challenges faced by political figures in navigating public perception and party dynamics in Japan, especially in the face of crises like the pandemic.