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Question	Value
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?	CodeYes Comment Source Article 22-5 of the Political Funds Control Act prohibits political contributions from (1) foreign persons, (2) foreign entities, or (3) associations or any other organisations of which the majority of the members are foreign persons or entities, with the exception of Japanese entities that have been listed on a Japanese stock exchange consecutively for five years or more. (Source: The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Review - Edition 6 (2018) The Law Reviews. Available at https://thelawreviews.co.uk/edition/the-anti-bribery-and-anti-corruption-review-edition-6/1151855/japan) (Source: Article 22-5 Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No.135 of 2007))
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?	CodeYes Comment Source Article 22-5 of the Political Funds Control Act prohibits political contributions from (1) foreign persons, (2) foreign entities, or (3) associations or any other organisations of which the majority of the members are foreign persons or entities, with the exception of Japanese entities that have been listed on a Japanese stock exchange consecutively for five years or more. (Source: The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Review - Edition 6 (2018) The Law Reviews. Available at https://thelawreviews.co.uk/edition/the-anti-bribery-and-anti-corruption-review-edition-6/1151855/japan) (Source: Article 22-5 Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No.135 of 2007))
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?	CodeNo Comment Article 21-3.2 "Corporations, trade unions, employee organizations and other organizations shall not contribute to a person other than political parties and political fund organization. In addition, the upper limit of the total donation by corporations, trade unions to political parties and political fund organizations ranges from 7.5 million to 30 million yen depending on the capital of the corporation". (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007)) Source
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?	CodeYes Comment Source Article 21-2, "No person shall not financially contribute to political activities of a candidate (except election campaign), however contribution to political parties shall be accepted" (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007))
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?	CodeNo Comment Art 21-3.3, "Political donations by Trade Unions are restricted to 7.5 million ten to 30 million yen depending on the number of union members ." (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007)) Source
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?	CodeYes Comment Article 21-3.2 "Corporations, trade unions, employee organizations and other organizations shall not contribute to a person other than political parties and political fund organization" (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007)) Source "Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007"
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?	CodeYes, above certain threshold Comment Source Article 22-6., "Anonymous donations or different name from identical person are prohibited. However the restrictions is not applicable to donations collected by political parties/political fund organizations on the street or in a meeting hall (the amount must be less than 1000 yen)" (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007))
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?	CodeYes Comment Article 22-6, "It is prohibited to make anonymous contribution in connection with elections or other political activities". (Source: Political Funds Control Act (Act No. 135, December 28, 2007)) Source
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?	CodeYes Comment Source Article 199 "a person with government contracts shall not contribute political funds in relation to an election. (Source: Public Offices Election Act, 1950 as amended by Act No 35 of 2001)
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?	CodeYes Comment Source Article 21-3.2 "Corporations, trade unions, employee organizations and other organizations shall not contribute to a person other than political parties and political fund organization" (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007))
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?	CodeYes Comment Source 22-3.2 "Companies and corporations that receive the entire or partial capital investment or donation from the state shall not contribute political donations" (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 69 of 2014))
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?	CodeYes Comment Source Article 21-3.2 "Corporations, trade unions, employee organizations and other organizations shall not contribute to a person other than political parties and political fund organization" (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007))
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?	CodeYes Comment Source Art 136.2 (1) In compiling the broadcast programs for domestic broadcasting, any broadcaster shall be politically impartial.(2) Public officials of the national or local government and other specified public corporations shall not participate in election campaigns by taking advantage of their positions. [description, not direct quote] (Source: Broadcast Act, 1950 (as amended by Act No.65 of 2010))
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?	CodeYes, for both natural and legal persons Comment Source Article 21-3.1, "An individual shall not contribute more than 20 million yen per year to political parties and political fund organiations." Article 21-3.2 and 21-3.3 "And as for corporations and trade unions, the upper limit of the total contribution to political parties and political fund organizations ranges from 7.5 million to 30 million yen, which is determined based on the capital of the company or the number of members of the trade union.." Article 21-3.4 "For the organisation except an individual, corporations, and trade unions, the upper limit of the total contribution to political parties and political fund organizations ranges from 7.5 million to 30 million yen,which is determined based on the expenditure of the organisations." [description, not direct quote] (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007))
15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit?	Code Annual limit is 20 million yen (individuals); between 7,5 million yen to 30 million yen (corporations, labor unions and other organisations) Comment Source Article 21-3.2 and 21-3.3 "And as for corporations and trade unions, the upper limit of the total contribution to political parties and political fund organizations ranges from 7.5 million to 30 million yen, which is determined based on the capital of the company or the number of members of the trade union.." Article 21-3.4 "For the organisation except an individual, corporations, and trade unions, the upper limit of the total contribution to political parties and political fund organizations ranges from 7.5 million to 30 million yen,which is determined based on the expenditure of the organisations." [description, not direct quote] (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007))
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election?	CodeYes, for both natural and legal persons Comment Source Article 199 "Regarding the election for the member of the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors, state and the election for the member of a local public organisation , a local public organisation concerned and parties concened are prohibited to contribute to a political party in relation to a election" "The corporations and other corporate body receive a loan shall not contribute to a political party within an year after the notification of the grant of loan" (Source: Public Offices Election Act, 1950)
17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit?	CodeNot applicable Comment Source
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?	CodeYes, for both natural and legal persons Comment Source Article 22 "The amount of individual contribution to a candidate other than political parties and political fund organizations may not exceed 1.5 million yen per year." (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007))
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?	Code Limit for individual donations is 1.5 million yen per a year Comment Source Article 22. "The amount of individual contribution to a person other than political parties and political fund organizations may not exceed 1.5 million yen per year." (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007))
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?	CodeNo data Comment Article 194 defines the limitation of expenditure for the election campaign (Source: Public Offices Election Act、1950) Source (Source: Public Offices Election Act、1950)
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?	CodeNo data Comment Source
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?	CodeYes Comment Source "in-kind donations and financial donations to candidates are restricted within 1.5 million yen per a year, and donations of food such as sandwich, bento box, alcohol, and juice is prohibited." (Source: Koga city- Q&A for Political Funds Control Act Available at https://www.city.koga.fukuoka.jp/cityhall/work/somu/election/qa/004.php)
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?	CodeNo data Comment Source
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?	CodeNo data Comment Source
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?	CodeNo data Comment Source
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?	CodeNo data Comment Source
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?	CodeNo data Comment Source

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Question	Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?	CodeYes, regularly Comment Source Political subsidies Act which was enacted in 1994 provides guidelines on regularly public funding. However, political parties are not entitled to provision of direct public funding in relation to campaigns. [description, not direct quote] (Source: Political Subsidies Act, 1994 (as amended by Act No of 2011))
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?	CodeRepresentation in elected body \| Share of votes in previous election \| Share of seats in previous election Comment Source Art 2, 'Following political organizations are eligible for public subsidies as political parties. (1) Political organizations that have at least 5 members either in the House of Representatives or the House of Councillors.(2) Political organizations that have at least 1 member either in the House of Representatives or the House of Councillors and obtained at least 2% of votes in one of the following elections: (a) The most recent general election for the House of Representatives under the single-member constituency system or the proportional representation system, (b)Either of the last two regular elections for the House of Councillors under the local constituency system or the proportional representation system.' (Source: Political Subsidies Act, 1994 (as amended by Act No of 2011))
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?	CodeProportional to votes received \| Number of members Comment Source Article3 "Public funding is allocated depending on the proportion of number of the members (House of Representatives or the House of Councilors ) and the proportion of votes gained " (Source: Political Party Subsidies Act, 1994 (as amended by Act No of 2011))
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?	CodeNo Comment Source Article 4 "Government must respect the freedom of political activities by political parties, and shall not impose a condition on the grant of public subsidies or set a limit upon what the subsidy is spent for." (Source: Political Party Subsidies Act, 1994 (as amended by Act No of 2011))
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	CodeYes Comment Source Article 149 and 150(Source: Public Offices Election Act, 1950 (as amended by Act No. 35 of 2011))
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	CodeNumber of candidates \| Other Comment Source Article 149 (Newspaper Advertisements) the number of candidates, the type of election defines the allocation of the advertisement. For example, (1) For the election of the House of Representatives (small electoral district election), candidates are allowed to advertise in the newspaper for five times during the election campaign. The advertisement of the political parties are allocated to the maximum of 16 rows in the newspaper, depending on the number of notified candidates. (2)For the election of the House of Representatives (proportional representation election), the advertisement of the political parties are allocated to the maximum of 28 rows in the newspaper, depending on the number of notified candidates. Article150 (Political Opinion Broadcast) (1)For the election of the House of Representatives (small electoral district election and proportional representation election), the election of the House of Councilors, the election of the prefectural governor, candidates are allowed to broadcast of political views without charge. [description, not direct quote] (Source: Public Offices Election Act, 1950 (as amended by Act No. 35 of 2011))
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?	CodeYes Comment Source Article 149 (Newspaper Advertisements) the number of candidates, the type of election defines the allocation of the advertisement. For example, (1) For the election of the House of Representatives (small electoral district election), candidates are allowed to advertise in the newspaper for five times during the election campaign. The advertisement of the political parties are allocated to the maximum of 16 rows in the newspaper, depending on the number of notified candidates. (2)For the election of the House of Representatives (proportional representation election), the advertisement of the political parties are allocated to the maximum of 28 rows in the newspaper, depending on the number of notified candidates. Article150 (Political Opinion Broadcast) (1)For the election of the House of Representatives (small electoral district election and proportional representation election), the election of the House of Councilors, the election of the prefectural governor, candidates are allowed to broadcast of political views without charge. [description, not direct quote] (Source: Public Offices Election Act, 1950 (as amended by Act No. 35 of 2011))
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?	CodeYes Comment Source Tax relief, premises for campaign meetings, production of posters (Source: CESifo DICE (2014) Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties)
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates?	CodeNo data Comment Source
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties?	CodeNo Comment Source

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Question	Value
38. Is there a ban on vote buying?	CodeYes Comment Source Art 221-222, Vote buying is punished by imprisonment with or without work for not more than 3 years or a fine of not more than 500,000 yen. [description, not direct quote] (Source: Public Offices Election Act, 1950 (as amended by Act No. 35 of 2011))
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?	CodeNo Comment Source There is no article that puts limits on total party expenditures in the Political Fund Control Act
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit?	CodeNot applicable Comment Source
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?	CodeYes Comment Source Article 194 " the expenditure of the election campaign can not exceed the amount stipulated by ordinance." [description, not direct quote] (Source: Public Offices Election Act, 1950 (as amended by Act No. 35 of 2011))
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit?	Code different from each election Comment Source Article 196 " the limit of the expenditure of the election campaign shall be stipulated by Election Administration Committee immediately after a public announcement of the election date." [description, not direct quote] (Source: Public Offices Election Act, 1950 (as amended by Act No. 35 of 2011))
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?	CodeNo data Comment Source
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?	CodeNo data Comment Source
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?	CodeNo data Comment Source
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?	CodeNo data Comment Source

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Question	Value
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?	CodeYes Comment Source Art 12, Political organizations must submit annual financial reports of their political activities to the prefectural electoral commission or to the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications. [description, not direct quote] (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 135 of 2007))
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?	CodeYes Comment Source Article189 "A person in charge of the campaign-fund accounting are responsible to submit a report concerning to the donation, income, and expenditure of the candidate to the Election Administration Committee." (Source: Public Offices Election Act 1950 (as amended by Act No. 8 of 2016))
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?	CodeYes Comment Source Article189 "A person in charge of the campaign-fund accounting are responsible to submit a report concerning to the donation, income, and expenditure of the candidate to the Election Administration Committee." (Source: Public Offices Election Act 1950 (as amended by Act No. 8 of 2016))
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?	CodeYes Comment Source Article189 "A person in charge of the campaign-fund accounting are responsible to submit a report concerning to the donation, income, and expenditure of the candidate to the Election Administration Committee." (Source: Public Offices Election Act 1950 (as amended by Act No. 8 of 2016))
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?	CodeYes Comment Source Article192 "the Election Administration Committee needs to make a report public once it receive it from the campaign accountant" (Source: Public Offices Election Act 1950 (as amended by Act No. 8 of 2016))
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?	CodeSometimes Comment Source Article12"The identity of donors must be disclosed if the donation from the identical person exceeds 50,000 yen." (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 69 of 2014))
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?	CodeYes Comment Source A Report Guidance: the report should include the itemaized income which is composed of 6 categories (Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications available at http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000077916.pdf)
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?	CodeYes Comment A Report Guidance: the report should include the itemaized spending which is composed of 6 categories. (Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications available at http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000077916.pdf) Source
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?	CodeMinistry \| Other Comment Source Article 20-2 "Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications and Election Administration Committee shall receive the report from political parties and they need to preserve it" (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 69 of 2014))
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?	CodeOther Comment Source Article 19-13 "The report should be examined by Public Fund Inspector before the submission of report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and Election Administration Committee." (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 69 of 2014))
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?	CodeCarry out investigation Comment Source Article19-3.2 "Political Fund Inspectors shall inspect the expenditure statement and transfer statement as well as an account books, adetailed statement, receipt and so forth. " 19-3.3 "The Political Fund Inspectors are required to make a Political Fund Inspection Report after their respection." (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 69 of 2014))
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?	CodeFines \| Prison Comment Source Article 23 "Political Parties which received donations or make a spending in a violation of a law face a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 1 million yen." (Source: Political Funds Control Act, 1948 (as amended by Act No. 69 of 2014))

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