Administrative reform minister made false reports on political funds

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

Administrative reform minister made false reports on political funds

It was revealed on December 26 that Administrative Reform Minister Sata Gen'ichiro (House of Representatives member) had made false reports on political funds which contained operating expenses for a fictitious office.

No political organization office existed at the address specified in his political fund reports.

According to his political fund reports, his political organization paid more than 78 million yen in total for the operating expenses of the nonexistent office, including staff expenses, utilities, equipment and supplies, and rent, for ten years since this organization was established in 1990.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi on the same day commented on this revelation, saying, "Taking advantage of the Political Funds Control Law that does not require political organizations to submit receipts for their operating expenses, he raised funds he did not want to disclose. It is an extremely malicious act. In addition, he has repeatedly done this for about ten years."

Ichida demanded that Sata resign as the cabinet minister if the allegation is true, and that an appropriate Diet committee hold a meeting to summon him in order to find out the truth even while the Diet is adjourned.

Ichida also said that the JCP will pursue Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's responsibility in appointing Sata as a cabinet minister.

Ichida criticized the Abe Cabinet by saying, "Prime Minister Abe often emphasizes moral consciousness, but it is his cabinet that is most defective in terms of moral consciousness."
- Akahata, December 27, 2006