An antigraft law that bars politicians and their secretaries from accepting money or goods in exchange for influencing local and central government officials took effect Thursday, despite criticism that it is full of loopholes.
The law was enacted in November with support from the Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling coalition after former Construction Minister Eiichi Nakao was arrested over allegations he was bribed by a construction company in June.
The law expands the scope of illegal activities for which Diet members, local assembly members, governors, mayors and their publicly funded secretaries can be held accountable.