Tokyo's Parliament Postpones Approval of Former Construction Minister's Arrest

Strategic Insights -

The Japanese parliament's decision to delay the final approval of a petition for the arrest of former Construction Minister Kishiro Nakamura highlights the ongoing scandal involving alleged bribery and bid-rigging in the country's public works sector. The opposition Liberal Democratic Party has requested further formalities, including statements from a former vice president of Kajima Corp. and questioning of former Fair Trade Commission Chairman Setsuo Umezawa. Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa had asked the parliament to waive Nakamura's immunity to allow prosecutors to arrest him, citing concerns that he may destroy evidence related to the case.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Japanese parliament has postponed for at least a day its final approval on a petition for the arrest of former Construction Minister Kishiro Nakamura for alleged bribery.
  • The opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has demanded statements from a former vice president of Kajima Corp. and questioning of former Fair Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Setsuo Umezawa to block the arrest of Nakamura.
  • Nakamura, a lower house member, is accused of receiving a 10 million yen ($95,000) bribe from Kajima in exchange for pressuring a government agency to withhold a complaint over bid-rigging.
  • The scandal involves the alleged bribery of several politicians and municipal officials, with more than 20 executives of eight major contractors arrested since last June.
  • Kiyoyama, a former vice president of Kajima, has already been charged with giving a 20 million yen ($190,000) bribe for former Ibaraki Gov. Fujio Takeuchi.
  • The Construction and Finance ministries have suspended contracts with Kajima for several months in connection with the alleged bribery scandal.
  • Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa has asked the parliament to waive Nakamura's immunity to allow prosecutors to arrest him, citing concerns that he may destroy evidence related to the case.

Statistics:

  • 10 million yen ($95,000): The amount of bribe allegedly received by Nakamura from Kajima Corp.
  • 20 million yen ($190,000): The amount of bribe allegedly given by Kiyoyama to former Ibaraki Gov. Fujio Takeuchi.
  • 44 years old: The age of Nakamura, a lower house member facing arrest for alleged bribery.
  • 1992-1993: The period during which Nakamura served as construction minister.
  • Over 20 executives: The number of executives of eight major contractors arrested since last June in connection with the bribery scandal.
  • More than four municipal officials: The number of municipal officials arrested in the bribery scandal.

Sources:

  • "Tokyo's Parliament Postpones Approval of Former Construction Minister's Arrest" (newspaper article, date not specified).
  • "Justice Minister: Former Construction Minister May Destroy Evidence" (newspaper article, date not specified).
  • "Kajima Corp. Suspends Business with Japanese Government over Bribery Scandal" (newspaper article, date not specified).
  • "More than 20 Executives of Major Contractors Arrested in Bribery Scandal" (newspaper article, date not specified).