Political parties counting on tax money are decadent -- Akahata editorial, September 12 (excerpts)

The financial reports of political parties for 2002 were published. It is characteristic that all political parties, except the Japanese Communist Party, are heavily dependent on the government subsidies.

They are like 'state-run' parties

The share of the government subsidy in each party's income was 88.7 percent for the Liberal Party, 81.8 percent for the Democratic Party, 66.1 percent for the Liberal Democratic Party, 54.2 percent for the Social Democratic Party, 42.1 percent for the New Conservative Party, and 18.9 percent for the Komei Party. Depending on tax money for a sizeable portion of their income, they are like "state-run" political parties.

Government subsidies impose 250 yen on every Japanese citizen irrespective of their party affiliation. This is against the principle of the Constitution guaranteeing people's freedom of thought and creed.

Fundamentally, any political party should finance itself by party membership dues, income from business activities such as party organ subscription fees, and donations from supporters. The Japanese Communist Party, for example, engages in politics with income earned through membership dues, Akahata or related magazine subscription fees, but refuses to accept the government subsidy and donations from companies and organizations.

Depending on income from government subsidies indicates the weak public support for political parties.

While taxpayers are suffering from heavier burdens for social services, including medical care and pensions, all political parties except the JCP receive a huge amount of government subsidies. Is this acceptable? This is a very serious misuse of taxpayers' money.

Listen to calls for abolition

Many political parties as well as the LDP continue to receive not only government subsidies but also donations from companies and organizations. If they ignore public calls for the abolition of government subsidies and maintain their heavy reliance on tax revenues, their roles as political parties should be questioned.

The JCP works at the grassroots level with people. Its active financial operations prove that political parties can engage in politics without government subsidies. (end)