Photo/Illutration Katsuyuki Kawai, a former justice minister, on June 17 (The Asahi Shimbun)

About three decades ago, Shin Kanemaru (1914-1996) was at the pinnacle of his power as the leader of Keiseikai, the largest faction within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Every time a national election drew near, cash donations poured into his office. When the big safe became full, wads of money shoved into paper bags were said to be left lying around the office.

Kanemaru and others were charged with tax evasion. I reported on their trial from the courtroom, where I caught a glimpse of the reality of the role money played in elections for both Diet chambers.

The experience etched in my mind the image of an influential intraparty faction boss handing out cash from stacks of banknotes.

Anri Kawai, who was elected to the Upper House for the first time last summer from Hiroshima Prefecture, and her husband, Katsuyuki, a former justice minister, were arrested on June 18 on suspicion of vote-buying.

I was stunned by the sheer number of people the couple allegedly distributed cash to.

Katsuyuki reportedly visited the home of a city assembly member and left a white envelope, saying it was in lieu of a calling card. The recipient returned it a few days later after finding 200,000 yen ($1,870) in it.

A town mayor begged Katsuyuki to take back an envelope, but he wouldn’t hear of it. The mayor eventually gave in after some heated back and forth and opened the envelope, which contained 200,000 yen.

Some flat out refused to be bribed. A city mayor reportedly threw back an envelope, saying, “Don’t you dare insult me. I’m not supporting (her) for money.”

“Kane no hikari wa Amida hodo” is an old Japanese colloquialism that means money is as powerful as Amitabha, or a Buddha of infinite light.

When the Kawais filled their envelopes with banknotes and distributed them to people whose support they sought to buy, I wonder if their minds were preoccupied with such earthly words.

The fund LDP headquarters made available to the Kawai campaign reportedly amounted to 150 million yen, 10 times more than what it gave to the other candidate who was also running on the party ticket.

I have no idea how those who accepted the white envelopes, even if only reluctantly, used the money.

But one thing is certain: The sordid affair was definitely not what voters in Hiroshima Prefecture would have welcomed.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 19

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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