Shady fund reports submitted by farm minister's political organization
Asahi
A political organization headed by Matsuoka said in its political funds reports that it had paid a total of about 142 million yen ($1.2 million) from 2001 to 2005 as office operating expenses. However, the office in question turned out to be Matsuoka's rent-free room in the Members' Office Building of the Lower House.
Matsuoka told reporters Tuesday night in Paris that there was nothing improper with his group's political fund reports. But he did not explain why the office needed to use so much money when it did not have to pay rent...more...
Cheap rents for Diet members drawing fire
Japan Times
The scandal over a prominent tax official who was living with a girlfriend in subsidized public housing reportedly has some Diet members shying away from a new condominium-style dormitory now being built for lawmakers.
Late last month, Tax Commission chief Masaaki Honma, appointed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe two months earlier, resigned under a cloud over reports he was living with a woman other than his wife in a government-subsidized apartment in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo....more...
...that now there is now a contest to single out the greatest waste!
Contest to pick worst tax-wasting perks
Asahi
Among entities used to giving themselves awards, a planned new prize is something they might want to return.
A group of about 90 independent local assembly members nationwide plans to "honor" the local government deemed to provide the "worst" privileges for local assembly members--worst that is for taxpayers.
The group, Nakuso! Giin Tokken Campaign (campaign to eliminate assembly member perks), intends to use the contest to oppose perks they think citizens would not condone. The group also wants to shed light on practices that often remain unknown to residents.
The winner will be picked and announced Feb. 9 in Tokyo....more...
