LDP donates 800 million yen to Central Community Chest of Japan “to settle political funding issue” | NHK December 27, 2024 13:46 The Liberal Democratic Party has donated 800 million yen to the Central Community Chest of Japan, known for the “Red Feather Community Chest,” in an attempt to settle the issue surrounding the faction’s political funding party. The donation amount was an amount that was not reported in the income and expenditure reports of party members, plus a certain amount added on, and was allegedly paid for from party dues and other sources. In response to the issue surrounding faction political fundraising parties, the extraordinary Diet session that closed this week passed a bill related to political reform that clearly states the abolition of policy activity expenses, and the Political Ethics Review Committee is currently reviewing the relevant lawmakers. In the midst of this, the Liberal Democratic Party, in an attempt to put an end to this series of issues, donated 800 million yen on the 27th to the Central Community Chest of Japan, a social welfare corporation known for its Red Feather Community Chest. The breakdown of the amount is approximately 720 million yen, which was not included in the income and expenditure reports of party members, and approximately 80 million yen added on as an apology; the money was not spent as party subsidies, which are equivalent to tax money, but rather came from the party’s general account, including party dues. Secretary-General Moriyama released a statement saying, “The legal issues have been resolved, but I recognize that this is not just an issue for our faction but an issue for the entire party, and I made the donation from a moral standpoint as a way to draw a line under the party’s politics. We would be grateful if this could be used to contribute to welfare across the nation.” According to the party, in 1989, as a way of settling its fate in the Recruit scandal, the party donated over 180 million yen, the amount equivalent to the profits from the sale of unlisted stocks, to the Central Community Chest of Japan. Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party, said to reporters, “It feels like it was tacked on, and I wonder if the donations were appropriate.” “I think there must be other ways to do this, like paying taxes,” he said.
>>1 So you’re saying it’s okay because he wasn’t indicted and he’s made a clean break? Shame on you, not just the LDP, but also those who voted for him.
I think people are using the word “draw a line” too easily. Even if there’s no legal problem, they’ve received so much criticism and lost the election so badly. They need to realize that the old ways won’t work. Well, the same can be said about the disappointing opposition party.
>>41 Officially they say they don’t use political party subsidies But it’s also unethical to use donations and contributions as the source of funds Donors will be angry and say “Our money is being used to fund politicians with secret funds.”
Comments