Here is a detailed article in English describing the suicide of the
Japanese Ag. Minister Matsuoka, who was caught in a corruption
scandal, as I noted here:
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2007/2007-05-28-03.asp
They translate the name of the organization he was grifting for as
the "semi-governmental Japan Green Resources Agency." As I said,
these places are cardboard front-operations whose only purpose is to
fleece the taxpayers and pass on fatcat contracts in big-rigging
schemes. There are also hundreds of semi-governmental organizations
staffed by ex-government officials which make a living by issuing
issue "industry guidance rules" and "licensing" for thousands of
industries, from toymakers to health clubs. It is a combination
shakedown operation (making offers you can't refuse), and a means to
circumvent antitrust law and prevent foreign corporations and
start-ups from gaining market share.
But as I said, the real crime is not the money they steal or the
industries they stifle, but what they are doing to the forests,
rivers and oceans. If they destroy the economy the nation can always
print more money, but it will take centuries to recover from the
damage they have done to nature.
- Jed
