Political Funds Control Law
Posted by Matt Dioguardi on May 29th, 2007
While reviewing articles about Toshikatsu Matsuoka, I came across a topic I had wanted to comment on before.
Since the issue of Matsuoka’s office expenses was revealed, revision of the Political Funds Control Law has come under the spotlight. On this, the contents of the draft changes drawn up by the ruling parties and the largest opposition Democratic Party of Japan, are different. Both proposed lawmakers be required to provide receipts with their political fund report if the expenses exceed a certain amount, and that these receipts be made public. But the ruling coalition wants receipts to be provided for expenses that exceed 50,000 yen, while the latter considers 10,000 yen a more appropriate level. The ruling coalition also proposed such a requirement be limited to political fund management organizations, while the latter insisted that it should be applied to all political organizations.
Small shop owners are required to report everything they earn to the government or face severe consequences.
People filing taxes are required to report everything they earn to the government or face severe consequences.
However, politicians need not report exactly how they spend this money? Gee, if it’s less than 10,000 yen why bother with receipts.
I’m sure I must be missing something here.