Japan Today
crime

Ex-justice minister, wife arrested over alleged vote buying

37 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.

37 Comments
Login to comment

How much filth will the population put up with.......

19 ( +24 / -5 )

Yadda yadda yadda suspended sentences. Don't waste our time and tax "dollars"

17 ( +22 / -5 )

Well least they got arrested and have to do some kind of time. I’m from the US, and stuff like this is relatively routine. I know it’s not perfect, but hey, at least it’s something. And with actual dictatorships out there, that stuff would be standard, and encouraged in a lot of cases. So just try to put things in perspective before making your judgments, because the matter how bad it is, it could always be worse you know.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Prosecutors have a case? That's unusual, a husband and wife, politically connected oh my there must be something up for this to happen.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

I need some quick cash but I can’t vote so....

13 ( +13 / -0 )

It's always the "other" guy when it comes to the constituency and their voting for the LDP. Their "member" is lily white and can do no wrong!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Arrested and still maintain a seat in parliament? Any other place and they would have been fired. Gotta change the laws, this is asinine.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Cricky, I read that this might be a case where the other prosecutors are using this as a way to get back at PM Abe for trying to ram through the public prosecutor that he favored. The article said that it was highly unusual for prosecutors to be so active and pushing a case as they are with this one. I for one don't mind at all.

But I think it sticks to high heaven that they are still allowed to keep their seats and continue to get paid even though arrested!

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Prosecutors arrest a (former) justice minister. Systemic corruption horizontally and vertically.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

They are Japanese bureaucrats. The most they will get will be a suspended sentence, unless they put it all into their aide and get off without a charge.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Prosecutors seem to be concentrating the facts surrounding buying votes, I think they should investigate the source where they obtained the ¥25.5million they paid out to buy the votes!

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Abe and Aso are doing everything to divert the attention away from them

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Don't let her off with a suspended sentence ..prison time is needed here ..Husband , too.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I am actually against harsh penalization for this type of crime. Financial fines + public service suspensions seems adequate. No detainment and no imprisonment , thank you ! It does feels a bit medieval and after Carlos I am really worried about this aspect of Japan.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

So bail or No Bail ?

Are these two allowed to see each other , communicate with each other, solitary confinement or does life go on as normal and this arrest is just a formality and a show for the media, nothing of any real substance? Or are they in the detention center?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Diversionary. Those approval numbers are taking a hit.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

So if you are Japanese politician, prosecutors make an appointment to arrest you (and then probably let you out pretty quickly)...but if you are French/Brazilian/Lebanese businessman or an American businessman in the automobile industry, you are subject to a conspiratorial deception by the prosecutors and Japan Inc. and thrown into jail...

10 ( +11 / -1 )

prosecutors there not trustworthy.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Prosecutors don't arrest, they indict. Judges issue warrants. Police take people into custody, or "arrest" them.

Prosecutors will get a warrant 100% of the times they ask to the judges.

Prosecutors can arrest, and can get cutody, and can execute the interrogations by themselfs.

Prosecutors have a say on the legislative power, they can add or change laws, and congress will follow prosecutors directions.

Prosecutors will leak juicy information to the press, like arrests and evidences, so the have total control of the information on public media.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Disappointed to hear about this...it's a given that the Kawaii's will have to go through an investigation but I wonder what will happen to those who received or accepted the bribe money??

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Politicians are pathological liars

7 ( +7 / -0 )

My father told me as a child, don’t trust used car salesmen.

Now I realize that connected politicians maybe secret undercover car salesmen. Or car saleswomen.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Prosecutors seem to be concentrating the facts surrounding buying votes, I think they should investigate the source where they obtained the ¥25.5million they paid out to buy the votes!

From the ldp headquarters, it seems

The LDP headquarters offered an unusually large amount of 150 million yen to Kawai's camp during the campaign and prosecutors are examining whether cash was drawn from the fund and given to supporters during the campaign.

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200618/p2g/00m/0na/071000c

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The amount of money is ludicrously small. Even corrupt officials in Southeast Asia and China racked up more money than that.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Getting people to vote for you and dishing out money in return, could the classed as bribery? what is the sentence for bribery? my opinion is why should I vote for some one how is not 100% honest and truthful? if they are as sly at this stage, what are they going to be like latter on?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@xeno

this is just the reported stuff.

remember an iceberg is only 20% above water.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

And on the day Prime Minister Abe gives a press conference.

安倍首相、18日に記者会見

https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2020061700721&g=pol

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm the justice minister. I make the laws.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My father told me as a child, don’t trust used car salesmen.

It's anybody who wears a suit and tie - Salesmen, Lawyers, Bankers, Executives, and Politicians.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The arrests of Mr. and Mrs. Kawai is certainly a frightening situation for Abe. But it is a good thing for us. Abe was setting his sites on revising Article 9 before the pandemic suddenly came along. This scandal, let us hope, will derail him for good and keep the Peace Constitution in tact.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

They should not get a suspended sentence, as this is the 2nd election scandal they’ve been involved in.

Lock ‘em up !!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

garypenJune 18 08:50 pm JST

"It's anybody who wears a suit and tie - Salesmen, Lawyers, Bankers, Executives, and Politicians."

You FORGOT about Used Car Salesmen...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites