Japan political scandals: cynical opportunism, not matter of principle

Tokyo

POLITICAL scandals in Japan are no laughing matters and have become more like pantomime than kabuki drama.The latest one involving the sudden fall from grace last week of economy minister Akira Amari, a key figure in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government, is no exception. The "pantomime" usually begins with minor actors whispering offstage that a certain political figure is not all that he (or she) is cracked up to be, and that the person in question has been up to some sort of financial skulduggery behind the scenes. Enter the "hero" (or heroine) declaiming loudly to the audience that he has been maligned and that there is absolutely no truth in rumours of misdeeds (usually receiving financial kickbacks in return for political favours rendered).

Then comes the "chorus" in the form of the media to take up the rumours and declare clamorously that the hero's downfall is at hand. No matter even if the victim is innocent, his reputation is torn to shreds by such public accusations.