World News Pention scandal strikes New Komeito

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New Komeito sent further shock waves through the government May 12 by announcing that 13 of its lawmakers, including party leader Takenori Kanzaki, had failed to pay obligatory pension premiums.

Two other executives of the ruling bloc member - Secretary General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba and policy affairs chief Kazuo Kitagawa - failed to pay into the ailing system for a certain period, the party said.

"We have caused great distrust (of politicians) among the public," Kanzaki said at a news conference. "We cannot make any excuses."

The three New Komeito executives, however, said they have no intention of resigning.

The news is particularly shocking for the ruling bloc because New Komeito had proposed the basic draft of government-sponsored pension reform bills, which were passed May 11 by the House of Representatives and sent to the Upper House.

The announcement by New Komeito, the junior coalition partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, comes amid a growing scandal over lawmakers and Cabinet ministers failing to pay into the national pension system.

Naoto Kan, president of the Democratic Party of Japan, the nation's main opposition force, resigned May 10 for failing to pay his pension contributions. Yasuo Fukuda also stepped down as chief Cabinet secretary for similar reasons. (The Japan Times)

公明党の年金未納・未加入発覚

Shukan ST: May 21, 2004

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