Kimitaka Kuze was recently forced to resign as chairman of the Cabinet-level Financial Reconstruction Commission for receiving illegal benefits and payments from companies. This dealt a heavy blow to the credibility of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and stirred a strong sense of distrust in Japanese politics at home and abroad. The following points should be noted in the scandal:
* Mori appointed Kuze to the post even though he knew Kuze had received benefits from Mitsubishi Trust and Banking Corp. This raised doubts about Mori's seriousness in promoting banking reform.
* Kuze's appointment, like that of other Cabinet members, was made on the basis of the factional balance of power and seniority in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. This stirred doubts about Mori's determination to push his "Japan renaissance plan" for economic revival.