It is also rife in the Mori Cabinet. Nepotism is not an issue the main Opposition party, the Democrats, can exploit. Its leader, Mr Yukio Hatayama, is a member of one of the most famous political dynasties. His grandfather was an LDP prime minister and his father a long-serving foreign minister. The rampant nepotism is cited as one of the factors behind voter disenchantment.
Political experts deplore the tactic, but admit that there is little prospect of early change.
Japan's hopelessly gerrymandered electoral system inflates the value of regional seats, where personal ties are so important. The LDP has also proved adept at using support groups set up by family dynasties to direct funds to its traditional backers. Privacy Policy Copyright 2000.