Takako Doi, head of the Social Democratic Party of Japan, accused the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of preparing to exploit a loophole in the Political Funds Control Law during a debate in the Diet on Wednesday.
Doi was particularly incensed at the mushrooming number of local LDP chapters, which can receive corporate donations.
"I'm astounded to see last year's Home Affairs Ministry figures," Doi said while questioning Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi during a one-on-one debate session in the Upper House, pointing out that the LDP, which he heads, has some 5,800 local chapters nationwide and that this figure has continued to rise since the law was revised in 1994. "What is this?" she demanded.