Opposition parties propose new legislation to amend political funding regulations

Opposition forces have taken a stand against the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan by jointly submitting a bill to revise the political funds control law in light of a recent slush fund scandal. The bill, submitted by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), and parliamentary group Yushi no Kai, aims to introduce a guilt-by-association system with stricter rules for lawmakers and a ban on policy activity funds provided by political parties.

The opposition groups’ legislation is positioned as a counterproposal to the LDP’s bill, which seeks to allow policy activity funds with certain disclosure rules. The new bill would require lawmakers to make political funds statements and face suspension of civil rights if found guilty of violations. Additionally, efforts would be made to reduce state subsidies to political parties if member lawmakers are indicted, and a third-party parliamentary body would oversee political funds.

Takayuki Ochiai, CDP deputy secretary-general, emphasized the effectiveness of the opposition bill, stating that it has fewer loopholes compared to the LDP’s version. Motohisa Furukawa, DPP parliamentary affairs chief, highlighted that the bill includes essential measures to regain public trust in politics.

In a separate move, the CDP submitted a bill to ban political fundraising parties, which were at the center of the LDP scandal involving slush funds. The joint effort by opposition forces signals a strong push for transparency and accountability in political funding, aiming to restore faith in the integrity of Japan’s political system.