Church has been in the spotlight since the shooting of Abe Shinzo, but Fumio Kishida insists no relationship exists between the LDP and the group

Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has urged senior members of his party to sever their ties with a controversial religious group after his approval ratings nosedived to their lowest level since he took office last year.

Kishida and his Liberal Democratic party (LDP) have been rocked by revelations that dozens of party members have connections to the Unification church. Media reports say they have attended events organised by its affiliates, paid fees or received support during election campaigns.