Japan Dental Association's political arm deepens corrupt relationship with ruling party

More corruption is being uncovered in the relationship between the Japan Dentists Federation (Japan Dental Association's political action organization) and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Akahata of February 7 reported that the JDF in 1998 borrowed money from major banks to give the LDP about 800 million yen in the name of party dues for 220,000 LDP members. The aim of this de facto donation was to ensure that a candidate from the federation would win in the House of Councilors.

A similar donation was also made for the 2001 House of Councilors election. For this year's House of Councilors election, the JDF has already named its candidate.

In its day-to-day operations, the federation is identical with the JDA, which is a public corporation. The two entities share the same bank account to collect their membership fees.

Seventy-two percent of all dentists in Japan are JDA members. (end)