Japan Press Weekly

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2014 November 26 - December 2 [POLITICS]

Shii criticizes political parties for their dependence on public funding

On the eve of the official start of the general election campaign, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo strongly called for the abolition of the corruption-causing system of government subsidies to political parties.

Shii, during a debate held between eight party leaders at the Japan National Press Club on December 1, criticized other opposition parties for repeatedly changing alignments in order to obtain government subsidies.

Defining the Liberal Democratic Party as a state-financed political group because 65% of the LDP income comes from the state coffers, Shii told Prime Minister Abe Shinzo that this public funding system needs to be ended. Abe, however, said defiantly, “The system will continue to be utilized.”

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Regarding the national referendum law for constitutional revision which was revised in June to weaken the requirements for holding a referendum, Abe said, “At last, we built a bridge to enable constitutional revision.” The LDP will increase its moves to amend the Constitution.

Past related article:
> Requirements for national referendum on constitutional revisions eased [June 14, 2014]