January 10, 2023

Akahata on January 10 reported that top companies in the Japanese arms industry donated a total of 166.2 million yen to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's fund-management body in 2021.

Ten firms alone accounted for 61% of the Defense Ministry's procurement value.

Based on the political funds report of the People's Political Association of the LDP, Akahata found out the amount of political donations provided by the top 20 contract corporations that were awarded the Defense Ministry's procurement contracts.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. made donations totaling 33 million yen to the LDP body. The company manufactures missiles for the Defense Ministry such as surface-to-ship guided missiles whose range exceeds 1,000 kilometers, high-speed gliding missiles, and research prototyping technologies to realize hypersonic-speed guided missiles. The maker received 459.1 billion yen in contracts, comprising 25.5% of the total value of the ministry's procurement.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation gave 20 million yen in donations. The company supplies improved intermediate-range ground-to-air guided missiles, a network e-war system, air-to-air guided missiles, and other advanced weapons to the ministry.

Hitachi, Ltd. delivered a minesweeper sonar system to the ministry, making donations of 40 million yen.

The LDP Kishida government is promoting a major military buildup, seeking Japan's possession of an enemy-strike capability. The government-proposed budget draft for fiscal 2023 allots more than ten trillion yen for military spending.

Past related article:
> Major defense contractors donate 200 million yen in total to LDP [December 6, 2021]