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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Murakami's firm paid salaries to DPJ lawmaker's secretary

The Democratic Party of Japan made public on June 19 that DPJ House of Councilors member Matsui Koji had a Murakami fund-affiliated company pay salaries to his private secretary for several months after he was elected for the first time in July 2001.

If the payment is found not recorded in Matsui's political fund report, it will be considered a violation of the Political Funds Control Law.

Matsui had a personal relationship with former Murakami fund representative Murakami Yoshiaki who was arrested on suspicion of conducting insider trade. The DPJ also revealed that Matsui may have invested in the Murakami fund.

In 2002, Matsui received a total of 5 million yen in political donations from Murakami. Last November, Murakami sponsored Matsui's fund-raising party in Tokyo.

After the DPJ's announcement, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi said at a press conference in the Diet building, "This is an issue that the DPJ should investigate on its own initiative and take appropriate actions to resolve. If true, it is a serious incident."
- Akahata, June 20, 2006