Japan Press Weekly

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2013 July 3 - 9 [POLITICS]

LDP uses ‘Abenomics’ to tap construction companies for political donations

Akahata on July 4 reported that it obtained materials proving that the Liberal Democratic Party uses government policies for its own interests.

The materials are letters of request for donations sent to the Japan Federation of Construction Contractors (JFCC) from the LDP and its political fund-management organization called the People’s Political Association, respectively, in February, according to Akahata.

The LDP’s letter was signed by LDP executives, including the secretary general and the policy research council chair. After explaining the three pillars of the “Abenomics” economic policies, the letter solicited JFCC for political donations in advance of the upcoming Upper House election.

The LDP fund-management body in its letter to JFCC sought a total of 471 million yen in political donations from JFCC member companies to the party in exchange for the promotion of large-scale public works projects enabled by the policies associated with “Abenomics”.

The Abe government plans to pour 200 trillion yen in tax payers’ money over the next decade for the projects such as the construction of unnecessary freeways under the guise of strengthening national lands.

JFCC in response to an Akahata inquiry admitted to the request for donations from the LDP and said that each member company will decide how much to donate and whether to donate or not.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo disclosed this issue on July 3, the day before the official start of the Upper House election campaign, during a debate between political party heads held at the Japan National Press Club (NKC).

Shii said, “As the letters illustrate, the LDP shamelessly utilizes its position as the ruling party to promote its own interests.”