The economic debate in the Diet appears to be distracting legislators from an issue that is no less important: political ethics. It would be a great pity if this issue were to be sidelined under the pretext of prioritizing economic-recovery measures. Recent developments involving scandal-tainted politicians point up the need for tougher legislation to sever the ties that bind politics and money.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court upheld former Construction Minister Kishiro Nakamura's conviction for receiving a cash bribe from a construction company. What is more, two officials of the Liberal Democratic Party's chapter in Nagasaki Prefecture were arrested on suspicion of taking illegal donations from local public works contractors.
These are just the latest in a long series of political corruption cases that have hit the headlines over the years. Most cases involve public works projects. Influential politicians, using their ties to bureaucrats, see to it that contracts go to firms they favor, and receive cash in return for their mediatory roles. At election time, those contractors can be counted on to collect votes.