Photo/Illutration Members of the Liberal Democratic Party faction once led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gather at a fund-raising party in Tokyo in May. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

“Kickback” is a word that should not be taken casually or lightly. Its implications can become extremely serious depending on the related position and situation.

Originally, it referred in English to the sudden backward thrust or recoil experienced when, for instance, starting a powerful machine or firing a gun. Gradually over time, it also came to signify dubious financial returns, particularly in shady dealings.

Former Indonesian President Suharto, who ruled the Southeast Asian nation for 32 years, was colloquially known as “Mr. 25 percent.” The epithet was coined because he reportedly demanded a quarter of the contract money of every deal as a kickback.

Suharto’s authoritarian dictatorship in the name of economic development was feared until his fall from power in 1998.

This unpleasant term has recently come into vogue in Japan, particularly in relation to allegations surrounding ticket sales for fund-raising parties for the largest Abe faction of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which was once led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

There are suspicions that money collected through these fund-raising parties that went beyond the sales quotas assigned to faction members was not recorded in the group’s political funding reports and were, instead, used to provide kickbacks to group members.

Since the scandal came to light, I have researched the meaning of the word “kickback.” Consulting several Japanese and English dictionaries, I found that the term encompasses a broad range of practices--from a cash payment or commissions for facilitating a business transaction or favor to outright bribery and corruption.

Probably due to the broad range of meanings the term can have, the lawmakers involved in this kickback scandal have displayed a frivolous and nonchalant attitude toward the allegations, which is strikingly disconcerting.

There was even a legislator who initially suggested that such a system “might have existed,” only to later retract the statement.

How would they have responded if they had faced allegations of outright bribery or corruption? The LDP’s continued dominance in the nation’s political landscape seems to have led to such moral laxity.

The Political Fund Control Law defines one of its objectives as ensuring that political activities are conducted “under the constant surveillance and criticism of the public.”

The dire consequences of ignoring this principle are clearly illustrated by the history of political money scandals.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 3

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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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