Japan Press Weekly

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2014 April 2 - 8 [POLITICS]

Tokyo governor hypocritically receives interest groups’ money

Tokyo Governor Masuzoe Yoichi, who in the past criticized the cozy ties between political and business worlds, received donations amounting to 3.43 million yen from 20 industrial organizations during the gubernatorial election in February.

Masuzoe accepted 28.95 million yen in total from various organizations and individuals for election campaign funds, according to his political funding report released by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Election Administration Commission.

The national and Tokyo federations of pharmacist associations and the political organization for truckers in Tokyo provided him with 500,000 yen each, and the political wing of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry gave him 400,000 yen. Around 40% of the corporate donations to the former health minister came from organizations related to health care.

The Tokyo governor also obtained a total of nine million yen from presidents of medical establishments and doctors.

Masuzoe in his book published in 2010 pointed to the need to completely break away from the collusive relationships among politicians, government officials, business executives, and union leaders.

He wrote, “There are a group of lawmakers who represent special interests in the medical industry. They are eager to cultivate connections with industrial organizations, such as doctor and pharmacist associations. Funded by these groups, these politicians work in the interests of the industry.” He boasted, “Since I served as Health Minister, I have never accepted donations from industrial organizations, including medical associations.”