VOX POPULI: In a gray case, voters choose black or white

In her posthumous book, Hinako Sugiura (1958-2005), who researched the culture of the Edo Period (1603-1867), noted that kimono in shades of brown and grey-black represented the ultimate in sartorial sophistication in Edo (present-day Tokyo), although people in Kyoto and Osaka had other views on the subject.

According to Sugiura, shijuhaccha- hyakunezumi--literally, "48 browns and 100 grays"--back then denoted the vast spectrum of brown and gray shades with all their subtle differences that were appreciated by the denizens of old Edo.

I imagine gray is the color many people would associate with Ichiro Ozawa, secretary-general of the Democratic Party of Japan, although how dark or light the hue must vary from person to person. Tokyo prosecutors have decided to drop their case against Ozawa concerning an unreported 400 million yen ($4.4 million) that financed a 2004 land transaction by his political fund management organization.

The decision came not because Ozawa has been cleared of all suspicion, but because of insufficient evidence to make the case stick.

However, the prosecutors did indict two of Ozawa's former and current aides, as well as Tomohiro Ishikawa, a DPJ member of the Lower House who handled the political fund management organization's paperwork at the time of the land deal.

Ozawa claims to have had no knowledge of the falsification in his political fund report. But he cannot escape political and moral responsibility. Were his criminal responsibility at issue here, it would be a simple matter of right or wrong--in other words, whether the case is prosecutable. But when it comes to his political and moral responsibility, the shades of gray are more complex.

The prosecutors look no less "gray" either because of the various questions going unanswered: Was their investigation motivated by their animosity toward Ozawa? Why did they begin going after him just after the historic change of government? The prosecutors must never exercise the authority with which they are vested just to exact revenge on an individual. Prosecutors must explain this to the public to dispel misunderstandings.

Ozawa says in his book, "The people deserve the politicians they get." While it is hard to quibble at this truism, I don't like hearing it come from Ozawa. The last thing I want is for we, the people, to be blamed for Ozawa's scandal. I am sure many people voted for the DPJ in the hope that the party would clean up the nation's politics.

According to news reports, Ozawa will not step down as party secretary-general over this scandal. Could he be a party weather vane to test public opinion? Some observers say he will bow out if the wind suddenly turns against the party and leaves it vulnerable in this summer's Upper House election. It will then be the people's turn to make their call--black or white--on this gray case.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 5***

Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.