Japan Press Weekly

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2008 October 15 - 21 [SCANDAL]

LDP and DPJ must equally explain their cozy relations with multi-level marketing industry

The Democratic Party of Japan member of the House of Representatives Maeda Yukichi on October 16 announced his resignation from the party over the issue of venal relationships with the multi-level marketing business.

At a news conference later in the day, DPJ Acting President Kan Naoto said Maeda had “accepted responsibility,” apparently suggesting that the DPJ wanted to prevent this from becoming a major political issue.

Maeda disclosed that he had received 13 million yen over five years in donations and in lecture fees from groups of the multi-level marketing industry that includes a company that had been ordered to suspend doing business because of its illegal activities.

It is also a fact that Maeda repeatedly raised questions in the Diet in ways that favored the questionable industry.

Maeda’s behavior could be considered as an act of soliciting and accepting bribes because he not only received donations but also used his political influence in the Diet for the multi-level marketers.

However, the DPJ is not willing to make clear whether Maeda used his political influence in return for donations.

Maeda has shrugged off by saying, “I have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo at a news conference on October 16 said, “The DPJ’s attitude is unacceptable. The DPJ should investigate Maeda’s past behavior and determine whether it was venal or not and display its ability to clear itself of such ill practices.”

Pointing out that Consumer Affairs Minister Noda Seiko asked questions in the Diet in favor of the multi-level marketing industry, Shii said, “If her position on the multi-level marketing industry remains unchanged, her qualification as a minister in charge of consumer administration should be called into question.”

Referring to some DPJ executive members participating in a parliamentary group in defense of the interests of the multi-level marketing industry, Shii stressed that the Liberal Democratic and the Democratic parties alike should be accountable regarding their support for the industry that should have been placed under strict regulation.