Photo/Illutration Agriculture minister Takamori Yoshikawa speaks at a meeting in Kochi in May 2019. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002), a Swedish author of children’s literature known for “Pippi Longstocking” and other classics, was also a staunch champion of animal rights.

Crusading against the way livestock was inhumanely locked up in barns, Lindgren was instrumental in getting the government to enact a law controlling factory farming.

The cause she advocated, animal welfare, is expanding in Europe and the United States.

Environmental journalist Junko Edahiro points out in her book “Animaru Werufea towa Nanika” (What is animal welfare?) that the predominant Japanese method of farming egg-laying hens is far from acceptable.

She notes that the birds, cooped up and fed in cages piled atop one another, are kept under great stress.

As the establishment of international standards for hen farming progresses, the Japanese method has come under criticism.

The situation appears to have set the stage for the alleged money scandal involving former agriculture minister Takamori Yoshikawa.

A former representative of a major egg production company is suspected of having provided a total of 5 million yen ($47,800) on three occasions to Yoshikawa while he was agriculture minister.

The former company representative allegedly sought the government’s intercession to ensure that Japanese egg producers would not be placed at a disadvantage under the new international standards.

The money apparently changed hands when Yoshikawa and the former representative were alone in the minister’s office or a hotel room.

The former representative reportedly said he “wanted to do whatever he could to improve matters for the industry, without any self-interest,” although he was aware that he was breaking the law.

But if industry officials believed that their argument is justifiable, they should try to convince the authorities, instead of offering cash in a clandestine setting.

Yoshikawa has issued a comment through his office, but offered no explanation about the allegations. He is acting as if he intends to keep hiding inside a hard shell.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 4

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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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