Bawling Japanese politician sentenced for graft

Memory disorder?! Really?! Doesn't he remember all those luxurious spa trips paid for by the citizens of Hyogo? What a shame, because it seemed like fun!

And I bet nothing will happen to former Tokyo governor Masuzoe either.

In a blog entry Wednesday, Nonomura apologised to residents of his region while warning journalists not to “disturb” his life “by ambushing and stalking” him after the verdict.

Actually I want the paparazzi to hound his ass some more. Love to see the crying and babbling again. At least this guy has some emotion! Better entertainment than having to listen to those damn annoying election vans.

Also, shouldn't title say: Crybaby receives "suspended sentence" for graft

This title led me to believe the justice system actually dealt a blow to corruption

Also, shouldn't title say: Crybaby receives "suspended sentence" for graft

But then people wouldn't be drawn to read the article. Get used to it here, it's the rule, rather than the exception.

Surprise surprise, people, "Suspended sentence". Doesn't matter that he spent the public's money, embarrassed the entire nation (I still bring him up and get cringes), refused to show up for his court date, then pleaded innocence, the man still got a suspended sentence. Amazing, even for Japan.

I hope at the very least that for the rest of his life when he sets foot in public people look at him and mimic his crying on camera, and the press follow him and ask about it, etc.

three-year sentence suspended for four years

Why? Not enough prisons for all the politicians?

Doesn't have as many connections as Masuzoe?

crying like a baby

It was never real. Totally fake from beginning to end and fooled nobody. His 'crying' was about as realistic as his expense claims. Let's hope we never see this blundering imbecile ever again.

Since an AKB48 girl was made to shave her head for spending the night with her boyfriend....I KNOW! LETS SHAVE HIS HEAD TOO!!

Doesn't have as many connections as Masuzoe?

Let's shave HIS head too..wait. never mind. Not much there anyway.

Doesn't he remember all those luxurious spa trips paid for by the citizens of Hyogo?

I believe the crux of the issue was that he never made the trips in the first place, only claimed reimbursement for the "outlays." (And was stupid enough to do so without being able to provide receipts.)

This guy needs a mental hospital, not jail

Doesn't have as many connections as Masuzoe?

I was thinking the same thing. How is what this guy did any different?

I think Tokyo people would vote for him if he ran for governor.

He is a Youtube celebrity by now, he should cash in on that.

Steal food from a shop -> go to jail. Steal from the public -> get off with a suspended sentence.

No wonder so many of the politicians in Japan are crooks and thieves: they very rarely go to jail for their crimes.

They will destroy his life now for this mistake , I feel sympathy for is family

@Aly Rustom

Since an AKB48 girl was made to shave her head for spending the night with her boyfriend....I KNOW! LETS SHAVE HIS HEAD TOO!!

That's a fine idea, however he already shaved his own head:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/01/26/national/crime-legal/japans-crying-politician-appears-court-pleads-not-guilty-fraud/#.V33EgI7B9YQ

Love to see the crying and babbling again. At least this guy has some emotion! Better entertainment than having to listen to those damn annoying election vans.

Indeed. Most of our politicians are anything but entertaining. And, whenever I hear a gaijin claim that Japanese bottle up their emotions, I can trot this guy out as a counter example. Americans can have Donald Trump. I'll take this guy any day. And, there's no chance he will ever control nukes as The Donald may well end up doing.

That's a fine idea, however he already shaved his own head:

Darn. I was just gonna go and get my varican... oh...Masazoe...yoo hooo....

Americans can have Donald Trump. I'll take this guy any day.

Americans can have Donald Trump. You can have Abe. 2 cheeks of the same backside.

So, his pathetically childish outburst didn't disway the judges and he has received his punishment for theft. Good!

This one is such a little fish. I can't even bring my self to clap twice in a row. I want to see some big fish go down, the ones who are really wasting and stealing my tax yen.

Bawling Japanese politician sentenced for graft

That headline makes no sense to anyone outside of America... 'graft' in the UK for example is hard work... "Bawling Japanese politician sentenced for hard work"... daft isn't it? Please don't use slang in your headlines JT... "Crybaby MP banged up for nicking dosh"... there, that sounds better :)

Back on topic and he only got a suspended sentence? Only a politician would get away with that... your average bloke would be locked up for at least 18 months.

bullfighter: "And, whenever I hear a gaijin..."

like yourself.

"...claim that Japanese bottle up their emotions, I can trot this guy out as a counter example."

Or rugby, baseball, or any other big sporting event when they win or lose you just have to look at them to see them all balling. But you're right in that Nonomura was not doing it on cue, as is expected (either with crying or being 'stoic'), and hence even in Japan he was an embarrassment.

" I'll take this guy any day."

Not a big surprise. One's Japanese, one's not, so rather than on a case by case basis when one has strong points and the other weak, you'd just accept the former for his nationality. I think you'll find any sane person would choose neither him nor Trump, though.

In the UK if you don't turn up at court, an arrest warrant is issued, then this goes up a notch as its become more serious.

Thunderbird2 - I was surprised to read your comment about the meaning of graft...The use of the word graft to mean (hard) work might be common usage but the definition of the word graft in the OED and CED show one of the three main meanings of graft as "To make money by shady or dishonest means." See for exampl:

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/graft

Unfortunately Japanese law is more lenient towards crybabies and embezzlers.

I feel his pain. Haha.

And I do mean that. If you live long enough, you figure out how the world works a little better than the next guy. Graft and politics really go together like peas and carrots. The guy did what everybody else does, but did not do it the right way or he crossed the wrong people. He got publicly outed and instead of using a tried and true strategy (you probably know what they are) he melted down and blamed the system, his mom, and whatever else.

The hypocrisy of the system is truly enough to make a grown man cry, but everybody needs the fiction of fairness and justice so that things can keep rolling along. Now that society has received what it needs, in this case, punishment, this guy will be free to run for office. If he converts to the right religion, he might even get elected. That is how it works in the US, anyway.

I have to admit that it is amusing. For me, the entertainment is in trying to figure out if it the real thing, or just the best job of acting we have seen in a long time.