Japan Press Weekly

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2012 July 18 - 24 [POLITICS]

Tax hike advocates receive subsidies given to political parties

While calling for a consumption tax hike, the Democratic, Liberal Democratic, and Komei parties on July 20 received more than 7 billion yen in tax money as this year’s second installment of government subsidies to political parties.

On the same day, 11 political parties in the Diet received a total of 8 billion yen through the subsidy system.

The government provides a total of 32 billion yen a year to political parties, which amounts to 250 yen in tax money per citizen.

The Japanese Communist Party has refused to accept the government subsidies, arguing that it violates the constitutional freedom of thought and conscience and that funds for political parties should be created based on their ties with the public.