Forestry Minister received 130 million yen in donations from public service corporations

   Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Matsuoka Toshikatsu received a total of 130 million yen in donations from nine political organizations linked to public service corporations under the jurisdiction of the ministry for 10 years since 1996.

   At the May 8 House of Councilors Agriculture Committee meeting, Japanese Communist Party representative Kami Tomoko revealed this fact.

   The nine organizations include a corporate association that was allegedly involved in bid-riggings on projects subcontracted from the Japan Green Resources Agency, an independent administrative agency under the control of the ministry. Matsuoka received a total of 5.2 million yen from this organization in the form of fundraising party tickets.

   Kami said a political arm of the National Federation of Associations of Forestry Engineering and Construction Companies, that had given Matsuoka the largest amount of donations (32.8 million yen) among the nine organizations, is calling for an increase in the budgets for forestry public works projects and strengthening political influence as its goals. She pointed out that public service corporations are giving political donations under the guise of being political organizations.

   She criticized Matsuoka, saying, “It is unacceptable that the agriculture minister who is responsible for investigating bid-rigging scandals has received donations from those organizations.”

   Kami also revealed that Matsuoka had received a total of 8.52 million yen in donations from corporations and public service corporations that were subjected to on-site investigations by the Fair Trade Commission over bid-riggings as well as their representatives. She demanded that Matsuoka return the donations.

   Commenting on the 130 million yen in donations, Matsuoka said, “I have received donations in accordance with the law.” However, he disclosed he had given donations back to public service corporation representatives, saying, “Although these were donations from individuals, I have returned them to mend my ways.”                                     - Akahata, May 9, 2007