FY 2002 budget enacted keeping a lid on money scandals

The FY 2002 government-proposed draft budget was enacted on March 27. It was passed by the House of Councilors plenary session following a 14-day discussion by the majority of the ruling Liberal Democratic, Komei and Conservative parties.

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo at a news conference later in the day commented, "It is inadmissible that the ruling forces have railroaded through the draft budget before unraveling the two big scandals involving ex-LDP members over their misuse of tax money."

Lower House lawmakers Suzuki Muneo and Kato Koichi have recently left the LDP over the allegations that they used government-funded foreign aid projects and public works projects respectively to their own benefit.

Shii also criticized the FY 2002 budget for discouraging household consumption, which is a basic factor in the present economic recession. (end)