| Case Details: |
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| Keidanren: Foreign Political Contributions in Japan
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| Product Ref: |
09/429C |
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Company: |
Keidanren (Japanese Federation of Economic Organizations)
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| Product Type: |
Case |
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Industry: |
Public Policy & Strategy
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| Related Product(s): |
Teaching Note
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In Japan, there has been increased scrutiny of companies' participation in the political process in general, and of their political campaign contributions in particular. Over the past decade, Japan has placed new restrictions on companies’ political giving and has required greater disclosure of campaign contributions. Increasingly, shareholders are seeking to hold companies accountable for their campaign contributions.
Fujio Mitarai has been the appointed chairman of the Japanese Federation of Economic Organizations ("Keidanren") since 23 May 2006. Keidanren is regarded by many as the strongest interest group in Japan. Mitarai believes that technological innovation is not enough, and that social and economic reforms are required to increase the competitiveness of Japanese companies. For a long time, Japan used to be closed to foreign businesses, and foreign companies still don't have equal access to Japan's economy, in which public-sector contracts are typically awarded to Japanese companies. By opening up the economy to foreign companies, Mitarai aims to increase the competitiveness of domestic firms. |
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| Functional Area : |
Economics & Business Policy
Social Enterprises & Ethics
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Learning Objective: |
To study and review business ethics issues in connection with political donations by corporations.
To discuss whether a company is entitled to freely undertake political activities. Is donation of political funds one aspect of this freedom, even if such actions will exert influence over political trends?
To explore the difference between what is legal and what is ethical.
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| Length: |
18 pages
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Country: |
Japan
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| Pub. Year: |
2009 |
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Level of Difficulty: |
2 |
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This product type is available in the following language(s):
English
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| Related Information: |
N/A
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