Corruption

 Corruption in Japan: Comparison and Ranking

While Japan is perceived as a country with low levels of corruption, it's important to understand the nuances and compare it to other countries. Here's a breakdown:

Rankings:

Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI): In 2022, Japan ranked 18th out of 180 countries, scoring 73 on the CPI (100 being the least corrupt). This places it among the top third of countries, indicating a relatively low perception of corruption.
World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index: In 2022, Japan ranked 16th out of 140 countries in the "Control of Corruption" indicator, again signifying a low level of perceived corruption.
Comparison to other countries:

Developed countries: Compared to other developed nations, Japan generally scores well. For example, in the 2022 CPI, it significantly outperformed the United States (36th) and Italy (58th).
Asian neighbors: Within Asia, Japan stands out for its low corruption perception. China was ranked 66th, South Korea 35th, and India 85th in the 2022 CPI.
Types of corruption in Japan:

Collusion: The most common form involves close ties between businesses and politicians, leading to favoritism and preferential treatment. Examples include bid-rigging in construction projects and preferential financing for companies with close relationships to politicians.
Lobbying: While legal, concerns exist about the influence of powerful vested interests, particularly construction and agricultural sectors, on policymaking.
Gift-giving: Although technically not bribery, the exchange of gifts between officials and businesses can create a web of obligations and influence decision-making.
Challenges and efforts:

Social acceptance: A certain level of tolerance for "grey areas" in business practices remains, making it difficult to completely eradicate corruption.
Weak whistleblower protections: Fear of retaliation discourages individuals from reporting corrupt practices.
Anti-corruption reforms: Japan has implemented various measures like stricter regulations and increased transparency, but concerns remain about their effectiveness.
Overall:

While Japan fares well compared to many other countries on corruption perception, challenges and complexities remain. Vigilance and continued efforts are needed to maintain its relatively low corruption levels and uphold the integrity of its institutions.

Remember: Rankings offer a snapshot, but understanding the types of corruption, existing challenges, and ongoing efforts provides a more complete picture.

1-Today’s Japanese language
Japanese vocabulary related to corruption
正義 (seigi): justice, righteousness
誠実 (seijitsu): honesty, integrity
透明性 (tōmeisei): transparency, openness
倫理 (rinri): ethics, morality
法治 (hōchi): rule of law
法律 (hōritsu): law
裁判所 (saibansho): court
警察 (keisatsu): police
政治家 (seijika): politician
選挙 (senkyo): election

2- Today’s news
Prosecutors search offices of Japan's LDP factions mired in funds scandal
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20231219/p2g/00m/0na/002000c
The accountants have admitted to not reporting the income in political funds statements when they were questioned on a voluntary basis, according to the sources.
In an attempt to mitigate the impact of the scandal on his government, Kishida, who heads the LDP, last week replaced all four ministers belonging to the most powerful faction, including Hirokazu Matsuno, then chief Cabinet secretary and his right-hand man.

Territorial disputes with Japan 'over,' Russia's top diplomat says
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/12/19/japan/politics/russia-japan-territorial-disputes/
The former Soviet Union seized four islands after Japan's surrender in World War II, and disputes over their sovereignty have prevented Tokyo and Moscow from signing a postwar peace treaty.
He continued, "Generally speaking, we don't have territorial disputes with any countries, including Japan."

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