A government task force on Thursday proposed enacting a new law to promote information disclosure at 147 government-affiliated corporations.
A report from the task force said those government-affiliated firms and special public corporations, including the Bank of Japan and Kansai International Airport Co., with the exception of its airport operation business, should make their activities and financial performance open to the public.
The recommendation exempted NHK, the country's sole public broadcaster, from the proposed information disclosure law. The panel further suggested that firms in the Japan Railway group also be exempt from the law.
The report said NHK is not a corporation that operates as part of government activities and called for a separate disclosure mechanism for the broadcaster.
The proposed law, which the government hopes will be enacted early next year, will require designated government affiliates and special corporations to disclose written information when requested.
It suggested that commission fees charged by public corporations be kept at levels that would not deter citizens from gaining access to records and other information. It also proposed that more information be disclosed through Internet home pages.