An old saying in Japanese goes, "Oya no hikari wa nanahikari," literally, "A parent's light is [as good as] seven lights." In other words, children who play their cards right can bask in the glow of their parent's fame.
Whether these children deserve such attention is, of course, another matter entirely. I find it rather irritating to be served up incessant reminders of the media's eagerness to confer status on the nondescript offspring of famous, or notorious, parents.
As is well known, politics in this country -- not unlike the United States -- is essentially a family-run business. Although a few critics occasionally grumble about the effects of so-called "inheritance politics" on Japanese democracy, it is estimated about 40 percent of the members of the National Diet inherited their seat from a relative. (The remaining 60 percent seem to be either former bureaucrats, pro wrestlers or TV quiz show panelists).