The law allows them to hire their parents and offspring as aides on the state payroll, and does not ban donations from secretaries paid by the government, casting doubt on its effectiveness in preventing graft.

Lawmakers have been registering people as their public secretaries without having them do any work and then pocketing their salaries.

The new law prohibits state-paid aides from working in other jobs except when granted approval from lawmakers.

It bars lawmakers from newly employing people aged 65 or older as state-paid aides, and stipulates that the full payment of salaries be made directly to the secretaries.

If lawmakers allow their aides to hold other jobs, their employer and salary must be reported to the head of each Diet chamber.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 22, 2004
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