A spate of recent fundraising scandals involving Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers has sent shock waves through the Diet, prompting the LDP-controlled Lower House Budget Committee to schedule a special session Thursday to discuss money in politics.
During the session, a number of scandals, such as illegal donations and kickbacks involving public works, are expected to be discussed. However, critics are still not convinced that simply holding special Diet sessions will lead to revisions of the rules regarding corporate donations that will help prevent scandals.
Opposition parties have been advocating reform and even proposed a bill last May to ban all donations from firms that receive public works orders, a practice considered conducive to illicit ties between politicians and construction firms. Yet lawmakers in the ruling camp appear to be reluctant to implement reforms.