There appears to be no end to the money scandals involving politicians and their aides. On Friday, Mr. Yutaka Inoue, president of the Upper House, resigned amid allegations that his aide took a huge bribe from a construction company. In this year alone, two other legislators surrendered their Diet seats over financial irregularities involving their secretaries.
Just the day before, Mr. Inoue had denied the allegations, brushing aside rumors that he might be forced to quit. The Upper House made little effort to investigate the scandal, perhaps for fear of damaging its public image and that of its highest official. Leaders of the governing coalition, concerned about a tight parliamentary schedule and key upcoming elections, reportedly tried to put off the day of reckoning.
Compared with the Lower House, the Upper House projects an image of "cleanliness" -- a quality that lends itself to added prestige and honor. With public confidence in politics at its nadir, though, it will take a long time before this "chamber of good sense" can restore that reputation.