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High-ranking bureaucrat took luxury cars and millions of yen from nursing home operator
Masaru Matsushima talks to reporters near the Celsior car he received from Etsuro Yamanishi at his home in Tsurugashima, Saitama Prefecture, on Thursday.A former high-ranking bureaucrat at the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry received gifts including three luxury cars and millions of yen for more than 30 years from the operator of a care home and a nursing school, it emerged Thursday.
Masaru Matsushima, 59, former director of the Kyushu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare, denied that he used his official authority to do the donor any favor in return for the gifts. "He is a relative, and he extended personal assistance to me. I never did him a favor."
Despite his denial, the ministry is investigating the allegations that the practice could constitute a violation of the National Public Service Ethics Law that prohibits national government officials from receiving donations from anyone under their supervision.
Among other monetary gifts, Etsuro Yamanishi, 80, former president of Hirakata Ryoikuen in the Osaka Prefecture city of Hirakata, donated millions of yen to Matsushima in congratulatory gift money to build and refurbish his home. The former director also received three luxury cars, including a Toyota Celsior.
The men are related through marriage as their wives are cousins.
The Hirakata Ryoikuen corporation operates a nursing home for handicapped and elderly people and a nursing school, among other institutions. (Mainichi)
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20070830p2a00m0na010000c.html
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