Governor-led bid-riggings expose flaw of 'all-are-ruling party' structure in prefectural governments

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Governor-led bid-riggings expose flaw of 'all-are-ruling party' structure in prefectural governments

Two prefectural governors were arrested for allegedly leading bid-riggings on public work projects, and another one is suspected of involvement in a similar scandal.

Former Fukushima Prefectural Governor Sato Eisaku was arrested on October 23, followed by the arrest of Wakayama Prefectural Governor Kimura Yoshiki on November 15. On November 16, 10 officials of the Miyazaki Prefectural government were arrested on charges of being involved in bid-rigging schemes, and the Miyazaki prefectural governor is also suspected. This series of bid-rigging scandals shows the corrupt nature of these prefectural governments, supported by all parties except the Japanese Communist Party.

These scandals have revealed the cozy relations between construction companies that are heavily depending on bid-riggings in order to be awarded lucrative public works projects and prefectural government heads who accept kickbacks.

In Fukushima Prefecture, in the wake of the exposure of bid-riggings on a dam construction project, a corrupt system has been revealed in which construction companies being awarded contracts paid a large amount of kickbacks to the governor through his younger brother. The money was then used to buy votes, bringing the governor's five consecutive victories in gubernatorial elections.

In Wakayama Prefecture, the governor established a scheme to give a particular constructing company the contract for sewerage system construction in return for the company chair's help in a gubernatorial election.

Local assembly fails to check governor's misconduct

The ruling parties of these prefectural governments must also be held responsible. In these prefectures, the Liberal Democratic, Komei, Democratic, and other parties except the JCP have supported the governors, strengthening the "all-are-ruling-parties" structure.

The "all-are-ruling parties" structure has promoted large development projects and cut programs in defense of residents' living conditions and welfare.

A local paper in Fukushima Prefecture wrote, "Not only the governor but also the prefectural assembly must be held responsible for the corruption of prefectural government. The ruling bloc, joined by all political parties except the JCP, has failed to check government corruption."

Under such cozy relations, the public bidding system has become a joke. Costs for public construction projects have been kept high and tax money has been wasted.

JCP strives for eradicating bid-riggings

The JCP in these prefectures has played an indispensable role as the only opposition party speaking out against corruption.

The two JCP members in the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly have long demanded a drastic reform of the bidding system and opposed policies of giving priority to large development projects and cutting welfare programs.

In Wakayama Prefectural Assembly, the four JCP members are demanding a thorough investigation of the scandal, calling for the establishment of a special investigation commission based on Article 100 of the Local Government Law.

JCP Wakayama Prefectural Assembly Members Group Chair Muraoka Kimiko said, "In order to eradicate bid-riggings, corporate donations must be prohibited in addition to reform of the bidding system."
- Akahata, November 19, 2006