Japan Press Weekly

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2014 November 26 - December 2 [POLITICS]

LDP backs scandal-tainted Obuchi as candidate for Lower House

Akahata ‘current’ column

As expected, another political funds scandal associated with former Economy Minister Obuchi Yuko has arisen.

The latest political funding report published by the Gunma Prefectural Election Administration Commission shows that when Obuchi’s supporters’ groups held an annual theater party in 2013, expenses exceeded the sum of the collected participation fees by 7.87 million yen. This indicates that the supporters’ groups paid the difference using Obuchi’s political funds.

The mass media covered this news extensively.

In spite of public criticism, the former minister expressed her intent to run in the upcoming Lower House election. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party endorsed her as its candidate in the election.

Corrupt politicians, including Obuchi, raise funds from corporate contributions and state subsidies to political parties. The Japanese Communist Party is the only party calling for a ban on political donations by corporations and organizations as well as the abolition of the political party subsidy system. A JCP victory in the general election will help to address the issue of political corruption in Japan.


Past related article:
> 2 female ministers’ resignation delivers blow to Abe Cabinet [October 21, 2014]