Ethics scandal involving communications official linked to Suga widens

I thought it did not violate the ethics code, so I did not report it." So if I think it's ok to be taken to dinner with vested interests then it's ok. The man is either incompetent or brazenly corrupt

Yep. But this is how things roll here. The only surprising thing is the amount of wining and dining and other scandals that are being reported recently.

It's as if somebody is wanting to taint this government as much as possible to get rid of Suga. The question is why?

SOP in Japan. Should not be news to anyone.

It stunk so bad to me when Suga started meddling in telecoms price setting.

I thought he was just well-intentioned but deluded.

I gave him too much credit then?

Jun Azumi, the Diet affairs chief of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said the results of the ministry's probe must be released as soon as possible

I'd rather suggest setting up an independent committee for thorough investigations.

However, Yasuhiko Taniwaki, vice minister for policy coordination at the ministry, said he paid the amount asked by the NTT group and added, "I thought it did not violate the ethics code, so I did not report it."

NTT Group: "Pay us 10 yen as your contribution towards the meal"

and are you familiar with every rule and regulation in your office and in Japan?

I am not in a senior position at my office, and no I probably don't have the entire employee guidebook committed to heart, but I am at least familiar with our ethics policies. It is a public facing job where that kind of thing is very important.

I would expect a senior ministry official to know their ethics regulations too, yes. That shouldn't be some obscure regulation that hasn't surfaced in years. He isn't some new hire that missed that part of orientation, expectations should be much higher for somebody in a senior position.

The heads of many Japanese corporations (including the one I work for) come directly from a government position in the same industry. Naturally they will continue their relationship with the government officials. This benefits the company as they gain influential power and greys the border between government and industry.

I thought it did not violate the ethics code, so I did not report it.

Every day I think like they can't come up with anything more ridiculous. Yet, they always manage to make more ridiculous excuse.

In times when they should think, they don't think. In times they don't need to think but act, they "thought". He could have report his suspicion. If it was no violation after all, nothing would happen, right?

The National Public Service Ethics Law prohibits central government officials from receiving favors from companies in sectors they regulate and states that meals expected to cost more than 10,000 yen must be declared beforehand.

I'm speechless. As I said previously on similar topic, I can't think of a country where this kind of corruption and bribery takes place in public, no Japanese law or regulation specifically restricts bribery of private persons. They get "treated" publicly, everyone can see, but if they claim they visited not as a politician but a private person, it's fine.

But in here in Japan, we often play with words. So often it's called a favour, in other countries such thing is a bribery and is illegal, especially when done by/in favour to government officials.

Appearing at the House of Councillors' Budget Committee on Thursday, Taniwaki said, "I want to apologize for causing further distrust among the people."

Ah, yes, the usuall 90 degree bow, few 申し訳ございません, more deep bows, maybe some money donation. The public will fall for it. Retreat a bit and after some time, it will start all over. I've seen that so many times.

Citing the new investigation, he stopped short of providing details, but admitted attending three dinners that he said were social gatherings for "exchanging views on telecommunications in general."

So, is he saying, that the government, his party or ministry do not have any official channels for such things? Try to cover one thing by saying another stupid thing.

noriahojanenToday 07:21 am JST

Jun Azumi, the Diet affairs chief of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said the results of the ministry's probe must be released as soon as possible

I'd rather suggest setting up an independent committee for thorough investigations.

An independent committee for thorough investigations? Here? Made me giggle :)

ZorotoToday 09:00 am JST

74,000

Where are these people dining?

It's not a problem to achieve this when going to A level wagyu restaurant. A5 wagyu quite easily. Pair it with some 日本酒 or imported wine and you're there.

Ethics are important in all issues, but they aren't valued nor used in politics. #realitycheck

He should have used the traditional, "I don't remember, what dinners" and stick to it. Just wondering if anyone's bill actually went down concerning phones. One thing for sure that must be removed or brought down is the "rental agency fee" for housing which is a huge rip off.

Tried to understand what this is about during Suga 9pm speech on NHK tv at my English speaking friends house. Neither of us could understand because the two translators English ability is unintelligible.

hopefully this site will have a transcript tomorrow...please.

It's a fair assumption that ethics has nothing to do with politics.

Ethics are very important in all issues including politics.

Why have they not been arrested?

Now I know why My DoCoMo monthly bill will never be discounted or brought down to match the world wide average of about 20.00USD.

I really feel for the people of this country, so SAD and heartbreaking to see them working sooo hard to put dinner on the table and give the balance to NTT.

Wining and dining IS how business is conduced, not just in Japan, but SE Asia and even in the West. Ethics? Give me a break, how niave can you be!

Political theatre - some persons want rid of Suga and these are the complicit acts taking place on the stage. Makes you wonder how powerful others were in the past that held power for much longer and through the same theatrics.

Tried to understand what this is about during Suga 9pm speech on NHK tv at my English speaking friends house. Neither of us could understand because the two translators English ability is unintelligible.

Probably more excuses about why corruption is okay in Japan.

Suga is toast, and his will all be forgotten.

Change is glacially slow in Japan. Especially with the hereditary ruling class and top 1% liking things just the way they are. It’s just a revolving cast of characters.

Japan has been waging war on workers with a low pay and temporary dispatch workers with over 40% out of permanent employment. Neoliberalism at work.

I agree, that this is orchestrated to take out Suga. The fallout from this scandal will be temporary, manageable, soon forgotten and therefore the question is why is it so important to hasten Suga’s departure? It seemed he was doing a good enough job himself to ensure his own demise. Does anyone expect him to last out the summer?

On another note, what did they have on Koizumi? I always wondered at his abrupt retirement...

*"I thought** it did not violate the ethics code, so I did not report it.*

Every day I think like they can't come up with anything more ridiculous. Yet, they always manage to make more ridiculous excuse."

and are you familiar with every rule and regulation in your office and in Japan?