The history of the Liberal Democratic Party includes a long list of money scandals. The recent arrest of Lower House lawmaker Takanori Sakai, charged with violating the Political Funds Control Law, is the latest reminder.
One of the most extensive scandals in memory was the 1988 Recruit Scandal, which involved political leaders, senior bureaucrats and business executives. The subsequent resignation of Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita's Cabinet changed the political landscape.
Political reform legislation has since been enacted to clean up politics, yet scandals continue to crop up. Now under Diet scrutiny is the minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Tadamori Oshima, who is linked to a scandal involving his former aide.