Some time ago we wrote about the 1990s scandal in which Ministry of Finance bureaucrats were arrested for receiving favors, including trips to shabu shabu restaurants where the female staff wore no panties. Such "no-pan kissa" (no-panties coffee shops or cafes) or restaurants peaked during the 1980s, especially in Osaka and Tokyo, and had many variations. Some had mirrored floors so diners could see up waitresses' skirts. Others may have offered "extras" not on the official menu. They might serve drinks or full meals -- but there was always a smile on the face of the clientele. In many ...

Like most places, older politicians in Japan are no strangers to sex scandals: from gay prostitutes to forcing young sportsmen to kiss them or even putting bondage club visits on the expense books. And it's not just the politicos. The bureaucrats are at it too. In 1998 seven senior civil servants in the Ministry of Finance were arrested and charged with corruption. They had received favors from figures in the finance world, such as trips to a "no-panties shabu shabu" establishment in Tokyo's Kabukicho. Japan's anti-prostitution laws -- paying for penetration is officially illegal ...