politics

Cabinet adviser Ishihara resigns amid flak for taking COVID subsidies

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Ah, the Ishihara family! I remember all the gaffes coming from that family at the turn of this century.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The scandal importance come from realizing that nothing about this would be unknown to Kishida, and that nobody thought this flagrant conflict of interest had any negative impact on giving him such an important post. That would mean it is likely it has happened with some frequency, just not reported in the media like in this case.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Seems like a decoy. 600.000 yens is peanut to compare with the billions, JTB, Dentsu and other cronies cashed out during the pandemic.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A political group headed by Toshitaka Ooka, senior vice environment minister, was also found to have received 300,000 yen in employment adjustment subsidies related to COVID-19. Kishida said he will ensure a full explanation is given.

…..

And what of the hundreds of thousands without work having received a measly 100,000 yen over two years?

When the number of suicides is far higher than Covid casualties then something is very wrong in Japan…

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The ldp have pilfering national coffers since the end of WWII non-stop!!

ishihara's appointment was straight up AMAKUDARI! And that wasnt enough so he was talking subsidies etc & for what??? What was he actually doing??? I think we all know the answer to that NOTHING, except bellying up to the trough!!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@blue, isn't that like a whole different issue? You envying their salary has nothing to do with them applying papers to get 600.000yen as pandemic subsidies. They didn't break the rule.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Kishida wants to defend democracy and its key values while another shady politician business pops up. I really wonder whether those guys know what they are talking about when using terms like human rights, democratic values, or equal treatment. Anyway, I realized they mean something very different from what I think.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

600,000 yen is nothing for most politicians around the world. Ask the US and you will know just what true corruption really is.

I think is too harsh considering officials are humans too and many also had suffered through the pandemic and has lack of funding. They file the papers and went through the normal procedures to get the subsidies. This feel more like a ploy of the opposition once again trying their hardest to make it difficult for officials to do their work. And this was not even a person but the party itself that receive this pitiful subsidy. What can they even do with that amount?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Eventually Japan is going to make Public Office so unattractive they will need to bring in Technical Intern to run the place. A USD equivalent of $55,000 subsidy to a special interest group that may or may not be legit? Wow, really? $55k to his gardener might be worth noting, but in most Countries probably wouldn’t be enough to leak out of the inner circle in most countries. As a country that does business with $10k nights out at Hostess Bars, try cutting the people willing to serve you some slack.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Kishida told reporters that Ishihara had explained that the group had received the money in accordance with proper procedures but offered to resign to avoid causing trouble.

So bribes are ok 'in accordance with proper procedures'

2 ( +5 / -3 )

who is next jiji in line?

its so pathetic but its norm here...

4 ( +6 / -2 )

As a son of the former Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara, he used to be one of the hopefuls to the post of Prime Minister. After losing the latest election and this scandal, the hope is dashed.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Oh no!

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Ishihara is one of the few Japanese politicians who don’t dye their gray hair black. Maybe he should if he wants to win back his seat.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Those folks always "bounce back" after a short while.

I believe it is called "failing forward" and and is a blessing that happens to those born to privilege.

Political, financial...there are so many examples here, in the US, Europe..I am sure quite a few names and types come to mind.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

he only got where he did because of his family name

4 ( +7 / -3 )

In the Japanese press there was a large outcry about Kishida finding a cushy position for Ishihara even though he had lost the election. I wonder if this mini scandal is cover for getting rid of an unpopular choice. As the article states, technically he did nothing wrong, so if Kishida really wanted him, he could have tried to explain what happened.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

An LDP poltician caught up in a scandal?? I'm shocked! Say it ain't so!

9 ( +13 / -4 )

The development, a blow to Kishida who appointed Ishihara to the post only a week ago, comes as the political group was found to have received around 600,000 yen in pandemic-related subsidies last year.

How about the return on investment for the 95 percent of the massive subsidy packages since 2020 directed at various businesses? Ishihara is a small fry, while Dentsu and Abenomask manufacturers, for example, swim away unscathed.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

In this week’s political scapegoat news…….

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The article is a bit unclear as it is not illegal to receive subsidies. It is almost even covering for Ishihara with most of the text quoting excuses.

Perhaps they should explain more why its morally wrong so that they don’t just get to make the excuse “oh I didn’t do anything technically wrong, but yeah sorry if I offended you.”

10 ( +12 / -2 )

What a shocker…..says no one ever.

Loads of politicians take extra jobs, extra subsidies, backhanders. It’s the way it is for a lot of these old boys.

Wonder which old boy mate Fumio will appoint to the role next.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

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