Panama Papers data spurs anti-graft moves

Tokyo, May 10

The latest release of the names of thousands of offshore companies and other financial data of the rich and powerful is spurring renewed calls to counter corruption and c.

Japan’s government spokesman said today that Tokyo plans to propose an action plan for combating graft at summit of Group of Seven rich industrial economies that will be held later this month in Ise, Japan.

That follows various moves by other countries to investigate or tighten oversight of such financial dealings following the first release last month of information from what has been dubbed the ‘Panama Papers’.

DS Malik, a spokesman for India’s finance ministry, said today that India’s income tax authorities have sent notices to all the Indians listed in the database and would investigate each case based on their replies.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) made the fresh data on 200,000 entities available on its website at 1800 GMT on Monday.

The database contains basic corporate information about companies, trusts and foundations set up in 21 jurisdictions, including Hong Kong and the US state of Nevada.

The data was obtained from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, which said it was hacked.

Users can search the data and see the networks involving the offshore companies, including, where available, Mossack Fonseca’s internal records of the true owners.

ICIJ said it put information online ‘in public interest’, noting that a mention on the list does not imply wrongdoing.

The database omits information and documents on bank accounts, phone numbers and e-mails.