Mainichi :: Saturday, June 27, 2009

• Futures trader donated 310 million yen to LDP, other politicians ★
  Two political groups linked to futures trading company Orient Boeki and its affiliates donated around 310 million yen to dozens of lawmakers after corporate donations to individual politicians were legally banned, it has been learned. continued ...


• More dissent from within LDP over Aso's election fumbling ★
  Prime Minister Taro Aso is attempting to replace the top officials of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a desperate bid to help the party regain support from voters as two major local elections are drawing near, party insiders say. continued ...


• Nishimatsu Construction seeks settlement with Chinese group over WWII forced labor ★
  Nishimatsu Construction -- the company at the center of a recent political donation scandal -- is seeking a settlement with a group of Chinese men used as forced labor at sites in Hiroshima and Niigata prefectures during World War II. continued ...


• New charges against ex-Nishimatsu president over donations scandal ★
  Prosecutors have laid additional charges against the former president of Nishimatsu Construction Co. over the recent political donation scandal, it has been learned. continued ...


• Editorial :: Time running out for Aso in delays to upcoming election ★
  Prime Minister Taro Aso has remarked that he will dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap general election "in the not so distant future." His remark has been widely interpreted by legislators from both ruling and opposition blocs as hinting at a dissolution of the chamber before the July 12 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election for an Aug. 2 general election. continued ...