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By Veronica Rossini
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Japanese agriculture minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka hanged himself on 28 May, only hours before he was to face a parliamentary inquiry over illicit political funding. According to The Australian, Mr Matsuoka had been linked to “money politics” controversies throughout his career, although these allegations have not been proved. He also had come under fire during the last months over alleged irregularities in political funds and the dubious declaration of office expenses. |
The Financial Times reported that the agriculture minister allegedly received payoffs from companies that had been awarded contracts by Japan’s Green Resources Agency (J-Green), which, being affiliated with the ministry of agriculture, also was headed by Mr. Matsuoka.
The scandal took a macabre turn when former J-Green Chief Executive Shinichi Yokohama jumped to his death on 29 May, a day after he was questioned over bid-rigging in public contracts, reports Kyodo News.
The suicides have added to the woes of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has seen his popularity plummet due to a series of financial scandals that have plagued his administration since his election in September 2006.
According to Jeff Kingston, Professor of Asian Studies at Tokyo Temple University, quoted in the Financial Times, “There’s a widespread perception that the whole political process remains rotten despite all this talk of reform.”