A book authored by Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura, titled "Start-up kokoku-ron," is seen in this photo taken in Nagoya on Dec. 15, 2021. (Mainichi/Hitomi Takai)

       NAGOYA -- A political group headed by Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura distributed copies of a book he authored to his supporters for free in 2020, in a possible violation of the Public Offices Election Act that prohibits donations to voters, it has been learned.

       According to the political funding reports of the group, Shuseikai, and other information, the group privately published Omura's book titled "Start-up kokoku-ron" in October 2020, and purchased 1,000 copies of the title -- priced at 1,540 yen (about $13.50) each -- from a bookstore to distribute them to participants of a political fundraising party for Omura.

       However, the party was canceled due to the spread of the coronavirus. The group says it distributed about 200 to 300 copies of the book to Omura's supporters free of charge. Some of the recipients reportedly paid for the publication.

       While supporters residing in prefectures such as Aichi, Gifu and Tokyo received the book, an official of the group said they didn't remember any further details about the recipients. "We wanted them to read the book because they have made contributions (to us)," the official explained. "We were unaware it could constitute a donation."

       According to the Aichi prefectural election administration commission, in general the act of distributing books and other materials to voters may infringe upon the Public Offices Election Act even if the recipients are supporters who have made political contributions.

       Professor Hiroshi Kamiwaki at Kobe Gakuin University, an expert in political funding issues, commented, "It is highly likely the case constitutes a donation forbidden under the Public Offices Election Act, as the copies of the book were not handed out at a political fundraiser," in which case it would have been obvious that the book distribution was in return for purchases of party tickets.

       (Japanese original by Hitomi Takai, Nagoya News Center)

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0