When an extraordinary session of the Diet opens in October, the issue of money in politics will be reignited. The Liberal Democratic Party, now in opposition, will surely assail Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa over dubious political donations.
Some donors listed in Mr. Hatoyama's political funds reports were found to have died by the time they supposedly made the donations. Mr. Ozawa's chief secretary has been indicted and will soon stand trial on a charge related to how donations were channeled from Nishimatsu Construction Co. to Mr. Ozawa's political funds management organization.
Under a 1970 Supreme Court ruling, companies can make donations to political parties unless it runs counter to the public good. The DPJ now proposes a ban on companies, labor unions and other organizations making political donations or purchasing tickets to fund-raising parties. Under the DPJ proposal, the ban would come into effect in three years.