 Subsidies to political parties except JCP reach 312.6 billion yen The amount of tax money used as government subsidies to political parties (except for the Japanese Communist Party) has reached about 312.6 billion yen (about 3 billion dollars) since the subsidy system came into effect in 1995. During the past decade, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has received 147 billion yen and the largest opposition Democratic Party 61.9 billion yen. The Social Democratic and Komei parties have received 26.7 billion and 22.6 billion yen respectively. To keep these parties subsidized, every Japanese citizen is forced to pay 250 yen in donations to parties, regardless of their support for parties. It is unacceptable that all political parties except the JCP take advantage of the fiscal crisis to try to impose heavier taxes and other burdens on people while accepting tax money, stated Akahata on December 24. In FY 2004, the total amount of subsidies was about 31.7 billion yen. It is expected to be about 31.9 billion yen next year, equal to the amount of the increase in national pension premiums or the cuts in state contribution to the nursing care insurance system. The JCP has consistently refused to receive government subsidies and has called for the system to be abolished on the grounds that it is in violation of the Constitution guaranteeing the freedom of thought and creed. (end) |