A member of the parliament, who is allegedly involved in an unaccounted funds scandal, is up for selection as a vice minister or political officer. This event raises new questions about the transparency and accountability of political processes in Japan, and if this appointment comes to pass, it could spark further public debate over illicit money in politics.

In Japan, political missteps or scandals like these often draw a tremendous amount of attention from both media and the public. Japanese people attach a high value to integrity and moral conduct, especially from those in public service positions. This issue, therefore, causes significant social unrest. Unelected positions are particularly contentious, with concerns about opaque appointments and backroom dealings.

Similar to the U.S and E.U, Japan also struggles with incidents of corruption amongst political figures. In both regions, such allegations can be a death knell for political careers, leading to resignations or dismissals. However, unlike the West, there is a cultural facet in Japan where individuals often feel obliged to resign to express regret and take responsibility.