Photo/Illutration Former Diet member Yasuo Yamashita in Gifu in September 2019 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

In his 2008 book titled "Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions," behavioral economist Dan Ariely poses this question to the effect: "If your daughter needs a red pencil for use at school, would you be able to take one from the office supply at your place of work?"

For those who would answer in the affirmative, he has this follow-up question: "There were no red pencils at your place of work, but you found an open box of petty cash lying around. Would you be able to pinch 10 cents from it and buy a pencil from the commissary?"

I imagine many would say that's wrong.

Ariely points out that a misdeed is easier to commit when cash is not directly involved.

In the case of Yasuo Yamashita, a former Diet member of the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan who was arrested on May 8 on suspicion of abusing his past privilege, perhaps it never registered to him that he was stealing from public funds.

Every lawmaker is provided a free pass for all Japan Railway group trains, but Yamashita apparently never surrendered his pass after he lost his Diet seat in the 2010 Upper House election.

He allegedly flashed his expired pass at Tokyo Station and used the name of a sitting lawmaker to secure a first-class Green car ticket on a Shinkansen, according to reports.

Investigators suspect Yamashita has been using this trick for more than 10 years. A long-serving lawmaker, did he think he had "earned" this privilege?

The success of his ruse was obviously conditional on station attendants not recognizing his face.

In behavioral economics, the term "nudge" denotes a means of positive reinforcement that encourages the subject to act in a desirable manner.

An example would be a notice posted in a public lavatory saying, "Thank you for always using the facilities with respect."

In the future, the Japan Railway Pass for Diet members should perhaps be imprinted with this message: "Thank you for always using this justly."

--The Asahi Shimbun, May 13

* * *

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.

Related News