Environment, justice ministers latest to deny illegal funding

Can we just have a list of ministers who haven't been naughty? It certainly would be shorter.

If anything, this scandal is highlighting just how weak the media have become in Japan. A generation ago (when I was an undergrad/post-grad), there was a whole series of scandals one after the other (the most well-known being Recruit). Anyway, media organizations like Asahi went after the people involved with a vengeance. Life at the top became a revolving door. Not happening these days.

Needless to say, the Asahi Shimbun will somehow be punished for printing such a story. On the other hand, as has been said numerous times by many, the LDP is noted for its corruption. So somebody else from the party has his hand in the till illegally ... nothing new really. The Prime Minister keeps covering up for them ... but how much longer can such scams be tolerated by the general public?

“I received the donation from the company without knowing it was receiving subsidies and I think it was not illegal,”

Well then you are inept and not fit to lead, if you just take money wontonly without asking where it's from or if there's any problems with it, and in any case it is STILL illegal, and therefore improper, so to deny it is ridiculous.

If these two are driven from office, along with Shimomura, this would be a blow to Abe Shinzo on two fronts. That is why Suga is fighting back so hard.

Mochizuki is a member of Nippon Kaigi -- the central denialist, rightist grouping. Not as prominent as Shimomura on this front, but still a solid part of the geographical balance (Mochizuki is from the central prefecture of Shizuoka).

Kamikawa is conservative, but not a member of Nippon Kaigi, I believe. She may be, however, the most important woman in the cabinet (replacing another who handed out fans to potential voters), and one of the few who can talk to Caroline Kennedy, Kamikawa having gone to the Kennedy School of Government. If she left, Abe is stuck with the "terrible three" of Takaichi, Yamatani, and Arimura, the latter with some rather reserved views about women in the workplace. Losing Obuchi was a blow. Losing Kamikawa would be bad for Abe, and maybe also for Japanese women.

Seems be a sudden string of scandals lately involving money and highly placed politicians.

I wonder why? (rhetorical question. it's obvious someone or group is very unhappy with Abe)

Three accused and one resigned this week. How many are left now? I mean if clean recorded ones,

Hey Abe's been getting money too it seems. News is spreading about his Yamaguchi connections funding money to him. Go figure huh.