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POLITICAL CORRUPTION AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE IN JAPAN

NCJ Number
63800
Journal
Asian Survey Volume: 17 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1977) Pages: 556-564
Author(s)
M IGA; M AUERBACH
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF JAPAN'S DIET MEMBERS SHOWS MANIPULATION OF VOTERS THROUGH FORMS OF BRIBERY BUILT INTO THE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE REASONS FOR JAPANESE TOLERANCE OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION AND THE FORMS OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION BUILT INTO THE SYSTEM ARE EXPLORED IN THIS ANALYSIS OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURES OF MEMBERS OF THE JAPANESE DIET. DIET MEMBERS BUY VOTES BY ASSUMING EXPENSES, OFFERING DONATIONS, AND GIVING GIFTS THAT ARE CLOSE TO BRIBERY TO MEMBERS OF THEIR SUPPORTERS' CLUBS. SALARY PROVIDES THE LEAST INCOME FOR DIET MEMBERS WITH MAJOR SUPPORT COMING FROM SUPPORTERS' CLUBS POLITICAL DONATIONS AND FROM PARTY FACTION BOSSES. THE IMPORTANCE OF CORRUPTION IN THE JAPANESE POLITICAL STRUCTURE IS MOST EVIDENT IN THE MECHANISM FOR THE ELECTION OF THE PRIME MINISTER. BECAUSE THE HEAD OF THE MAJORITY PARTY ASSUMES PREMIERSHIP, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IS SMALL AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR BRIBERY IS GREAT. POLITICAL CORRUPTION IS TOLERATED BECAUSE OF AN IDEOLOGY WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE A HUMANISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY, AN EDUCATIONAL NETWORK IN WHICH GRADUATES OF THE SAME UNIVERSITY SUPPORT EACH OTHER, AND VOTER DEMANDS THAT ARE ORIENTED TO PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND IMMEDIATE PROFIT FROM THE CANDIDATE. FOOTNOTES ARE GIVEN. (RFC)

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