When will DPJ fulfill its promise to ban corporate political donations?

Japan Press Weekly

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

When will DPJ fulfill its promise to ban corporate political donations?

While calling for a ban on corporate political donations, members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan still hold fundraising parties.

On April 4, the DPJ Hyogo Prefectural branch held a fundraising party in Kobe City by inviting DPJ Secretary General Ozawa Ichiro. Ozawa himself plans to have such a gathering on April 8 in Tokyo with each ticket costing 20,000 yen.

Major corporations and organizations are the major buyers of tickets for fundraising parties held by parliamentarians.

Triggered by a plutocratic scandal involving Nishimatsu Construction Co. and Ozawa, the DPJ in the House of Representatives election last summer promised to prohibit corporations and organizations from making political donations.

However, it has not banned its members from holding fundraising events. In March, Internal Affairs and Communication Minister Haraguchi Kazuhiro held a fundraising gathering celebrating the publication of his book in Tokyo.

Voters cannot place their trust in the promise to “restore public trust for politics (Prime Minister Hatoyama)” if the DPJ continues to break its election promises.

- Akahata, April 5, 2010