Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2009 April 29 - May 12 [SCANDAL]

Construction companies secretly donated 100 million yen to LDP and lawmakers representing their special interests

A political action group of marine and general contractor construction companies gave Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Nikai Toshihiro and some other Liberal Democratic Party members of the Diet 100 million yen in political donations during the three years from 2005.

Akahata uncovered this while investigating the flow of funds from Sanso-kai’s to Nikai’s political fund managing organization called “New Wave.” The revelation also brought to light the corrupt relation between the constructors’ group, which greatly depends on public works investment, and LDP Dietmembers with influences on the government’s seaport- and airport-related budget administration.

Sanso-kai (formerly Koei-kai) was established in 1976, represented by former executives of (20 to 30) marine construction-related corporations, including TOA CORPORATION.

(Established in 1908, TOA CORPORATION has been engaged in dredging and reclamation projects for the construction of harbors and related facilities, design and execution of coastline buildings, construction of airports, and marine leisure facilities. It is capitalized at 19 billion yen with 1,877 employees as of 2008.)

It is suspected that Sanso-kai was established as the marine constructor’s dummy group to influence the government.

A total of 30 million yen was given to two LDP groups, while 70 million yen was paid to three LDP Dietmembers, including Minister Nikai and two other influential lawmakers.