politics

Abe faces questions over improper political donations

59 Comments
By Kaori Kaneko

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59 Comments
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“I really didn’t know what I didn’t know and I can’t say more than that,”

Then you were not, and are not, doing your job and should resign. You know it NOW, don't you? And you know that you accepted funds illegally? So, you broke the law.

24 ( +28 / -4 )

“I really didn’t know what I didn’t know and I can’t say more than that,” Abe told a Diet panel.

Do these jokers have the same 'idiotic excuse' book. Last week it was, "It doesn't matter how many times I explain it you won't Understand." However, Abe has come up with something in total double-Dutch that nobody understands. Well done Abe!

21 ( +22 / -1 )

Perhaps this story will grow legs after all. Looking at the scandals of a generation ago (Recruit, Sagawa, etc.), right about now what is needed is a good spray in the Times or the New York Times.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Top dog is even in on illegal donations. Wow. I hope this story does grow legs, maybe the citizenry will finally do/say something.

19 ( +19 / -0 )

By the way, the Democratic Party of Japan's President Okada Katsuya also in involved in the same kind of scandal.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I assume every politician in the Diet has done, or is doing, something like this at some point or another, whether the Opposition follows up on this is the question

4 ( +4 / -0 )

even if abe is replace, the LDP will still be in charge. so cutting off one head of a twelve-headed monster really won't do much to change the basic policies of the current governement. in fact, japan will face a period of economic turbulence which will delay or even wipe out and chance of reform. which would you rather have: the devil that you do know or the devil that you don't know?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Like why is anyone surprised? Now we will see if he really is the "Teflon-man".

10 ( +10 / -0 )

He was drunk and can't remember.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

“I really didn’t know what I didn’t know and I can’t say more than that,” Abe told a Diet panel.

The title of Abe's memoir!

8 ( +11 / -3 )

“I really didn’t know what I didn’t know and I can’t say more than that,” Abe told a Diet panel.

Unknown unknowns? Thank you, Kakue.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Improper funding and Japanese politics. An unlikely combination.......

He should have burst into tears like the Osaka bloke....

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Ignorance is no excuse when breaking the law. He is responsible for the actions of his minions, time to fall on his sword, or at least run to the bathroom!

18 ( +18 / -0 )

There are thousands of subsidy programs. It is hard to keep track of them all,” he said.

This is the root of the problem.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

He was drunk and can't remember.

"I was drunk on power at the time." I wonder if the j-satsu would accept that excuse.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Of course this guy cheated, Abe paid for his own reelection with future government kick backs. He needs to be removed NOW!

15 ( +15 / -0 )

From the party which wants Japan's education system to provide people with a solid grounding in ethics? Better late than never I suppose.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi said there was no legal problem if the politician was unaware of the subsidies at the time.

Interesting logic. How can you possibly prove that you were unaware of something at a particular moment in the past?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

smithinjapan@ is right again. Abe isn't going to resign, though. There needs to be a lot more of something like this to make him have a stomachache and force him to quit.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

So, what hey are saying is, it's ok to accept illegal donations as long as you can say that you didn't know it's illegal? Even though, the companies making the donations receive subsidies and government contracts due to the fact they bought favor with an illegal donation? If this kind of 'under the table' behaviour happened in the US, Australia or England the politician would be hanging from the yard arm and the company would be ostracised to the point of bankruptcy. My reaction goes beyond anger to ridicule and sarcasm. It is the structure of the education system in Japan that allows this to happen. Nobody is taught to ask how what, how or why. They are only taught to ask when! Ganbatte Nihon!

11 ( +12 / -1 )

This is of course a common but UNACCEPTABLE practice by ALL politicians here!

Maybe the govt should simply make a list of those companies NOT getting subsidies, its gotta be shorter!

And now for the important question, I seem to be the only one not getting any subsidy $$$, why the hell is that!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Like many others, Abe Shinzo is a career politician coming from a politician family. His bread and butter is contributions from supporters and supporter organization. This leads to crony politics 政治と金 and factionalism. The system is inherently corrupt, with the staying power of incumbency leading to political stagnation and electorate cynicism and passivism.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Someone in politics has to face tough questions all the time

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Abe faces questions over improper political donations

One may hope the writing is on the wall

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I seem to be the only one not getting any subsidy $$$, why the hell is that!

Do you really want to know the answer to this?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

My real question is what story we're going to get at the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. Will it be 'omote nashi'? Who will trust?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

If he resigns or gets the boot, well be stuck with Aso the Aso. GREAT ;o(

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Howaiti

LOL

4 ( +4 / -0 )

After two years on top, show some results, please.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Two problems are revealed here. One is the extent of corporate welfare. The right rails against social welfare, but there is more urgency to greatly reduce this form. The second is money and politics. Rules could also be put in place to limit this practice. Of course the powerful have no interest in changing either of these practices and unless there is drastic uproar in the streets, it'll be business as usual for years to come.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Abe keeps easily proving himself as the worst prime minister not just in Japan but most likely the world. He isn't even that subtle about keeping his agenda.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Abe is saying that he didn't know that he was receiving money from somewhere? And this guy is the PM of Japan? Unbelievable!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I seem to be the only one not getting any subsidy $$$, why the hell is that!

Do you really want to know the answer to this?

I was being sarcastic, but I would be interested in your answer

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I thought we had had enough of this kind of stuff with Nakasone and Kanemaru, but Abe is just more of the same.

Is it possible to get corruption out of Japanese politics?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I can say I for one am not surprised at this.... After all it's a trend under his leadership.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi said there was no legal problem if the politician was unaware of the subsidies at the time

Well duh.... of course he's gonna say "I didn't know" then. You know, individually, these figures seem really petty, but I wish they would print the TOTAL amount of questionable donations that are under investigation to put things into perspective.

Also, the headline reads:

Abe faces questions over improper political donations

Maybe it was lost in translation, but can we cut it with the euphemisms already? "Improper" should be changed to "ILLEGAL".

4 ( +4 / -0 )

When it was revealed that Okada (DPJ head) also received "improper' funds, you can pretty much kill the issue.

The law in of itself is vague and there are no effective check system to verify each and every donations. Heck. Many companies that made the donation didn't even know such law existed. This is where the problem lies.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

Why you people are surprised? Haven't you learned Japanese culture of politics and definition pf politicians?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The core is rotten.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Lots of immigrants "demanding" the resignation of a Prime Minster they didn't elect/can't remove from office.

Meanwhile, back at home their own Prime Ministers do exactly the same as Abe!

Listen to yourselves, will ya?

"Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi said there was no legal problem if the politician was unaware of the subsidies at the time."

That's the law of the land.

Stick that in yer pipe and smoke it!

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

@Peeping_TomMAR. 04, 2015 - 01:36AM JST Lots of immigrants "demanding" the resignation of a Prime Minster they didn't elect/can't remove from office.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Where are they demanding? /Do they demand in their language or in Japanese? Are they sending letters to Japanese newspapers?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Toshiko,

"Demanding" is in between inverted commas.

It's a jab at latent insinuations that one can perceive emanating from many of the comments written by JT "experts"

Just refer to the very first post; you'll see what I mean.

All I'm saying is that there's nothing new to see here; it's practiced throughout the world.

Yet JT "experts" in all their malice and shrewdness want us to believe it's a Japan only thing!

Moreover, it would appear that no crime was committed, in accordance with the stipulations of Japan's law, the only relevant law in this instance!

Regardless of different practices elsewhere.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

@Peeping Tom: Thanks to your answer: I did not know Japan let immigrants participate Japanese political appointment procedure/ One thing: It is cri,me to accept such donation in Japan.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Abe faces questions over improper political donations

Love all the posts by the Far Left wingers here, you guys are as giddy as a bunch of schoolgirls at a silly One Direction concert.

I noticed one thing in each of your posts, you hope he resigns, but you know he will not. Because the opposition has nothing to fire their ammo since their gunpowder is soaking wet.

Enjoy the circus.....

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

It's not like anyone doesn't know that the system works like this everyhwere. It's the same old spiel.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Toshiko,

Japan does not allow foreigners to actively participate in political activities.

That's the general rule the world over.

An exception can be found in the EU (where freedoms of movement and establishment exist). These benefits however, only extend to EU citizens; therefore as Japanese you'll will not allowed political rights, i.e. to vote in London, but a Pole can vote here and I can vote in Warsaw if I so wish.

My girlfriend is Japanese and a permanent resident here since she was a child; she can't vote.

You'll also find a few other exceptions here and there due to reciprocal treaties between States.

I'm not in full possession of info concerning Abe's involvement regarding this donation process thus it would be unwise to make any definitive assessment; however, "Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi said there was no legal problem if the politician was unaware of the subsidies at the time."

Again, I haven't read Japanese law on this matter; only under the assumption that the Affairs Minister's assessment is correct. If that's the legislative position then there is no crime.

But to be honest, I don't know if he is right, or not.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

I was being sarcastic, but I would be interested in your answer

I know you were being sarcastic, yet as foreigners in Japan some people from here can attest to as well that we are not all treated the same when it comes to subsidies and allowances provided to Japanese citizens.

I am not complaining, however it does get frustrating at times when folks who have been living here for literally decades are discriminated against, even though they are permanent residents, are not afforded the same benefits, even as they are treated the same as in paying taxes.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"we are not all treated the same when it comes to subsidies and allowances provided to Japanese citizens"

And what do you think happens elsewhere?

Excluding another EU citizen what do you think the position is regarding a Ugandan in London/Madrid/Paris/Bonn?

A clue for you; the Ugandan will be required to pay his taxes, just like the Peeping.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

€€€Japan has copied many Amecican system. One thing. I think Japan will be benefited will be Citizenship system. In USA. ir you have Green Card, after 5 years, you can apply to take very easy citizenship test and Bingo You can vote.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In Japan you can become a citizen without getting permanent residency (the green card). Anyone who wants to vote can become a citizen and do so.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Abe was elected in one of four wards in Yamaguchiken. There is a Ubekosan but it is in Ube City, Fa away from his area. Then there is Kyowa Hakko in Hofu City far far from his area/ Which companies donated? Are there any chemical companies in Nagato City area that depend on Govt?

Abe might not knew the corporation structire but iy is kind of hard to see corporations there to have many subsiduaries in Yamaguchi ken. So he said he did not know.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Abe faces questions over improper political donations

So, it's been a couple of days. How has he answered them?

Or has he already wormed his way out of the questioning?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

So, it's been a couple of days. How has he answered them?

He did.

And it looks like DPJ's throwing in the towel since they too have members who received "improper" funds.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20150304-OYT1T50006.html

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

If there are thousands of donations given, then explain why are 8% tax is part of that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What can be done to prevent these corruptions?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Diet members need to check current llaws related to political contributions. Are they too old? Then scrap and create new laws for 21st century. But they were more interested in scrapping dance law created in 1940's than political contribution laws.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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