JCP Shii criticizes Rengo for imposing support for a specific party on its members

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP Shii criticizes Rengo for imposing support for a specific party on its members

The Sapporo District Prosecutors Office is now investigating into a case in which the Hokkaido Teachers Union gave 16 million yen to Kobayashi Chiyomi, Democratic Party lawmaker, in the 2009 general election.

Donations to individual politicians from businesses or other organizations are prohibited under the Political Funds Control Law.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo said to the press on February 18, “Kobayashi must accept public accountability, and the Diet must also bring the matter to light.”

Shii also pointed out that underlying the alleged illegal donations by the teachers union to the DPJ House of Representatives member is the policy of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) to impose support for a specific political party on its members. This is the root of organizational fund donations and electioneering.

Shii stressed that trade unions should work to help realize workers’ acute demands, irrespective of differences of political affiliation, thoughts and creed. The imposition of support for a specific party must be stopped.

- Akahata, February 19, 2010