[trunker]

actually i would say that dishonesty and corruption in japan as well as other developed countries are more prevalent than they appear, and thus alot more dishonest. ie you have to get pretty high up before you see something as obvious as blatant corruption.

having dealt with japanese companies as a subcontractor in the past, the number of times the issue of kickbacks comes up, no matter how diplomatically put, has only been eclipsed by the arabs i've dealt with. atleast with the arabs, as well as some other developing nation companies, it is openly discussed and not hidden away.

the japanese are honest, however, when the deal is done, and they dont ask for any "extras" unlike some of the more unscrupulous.

it all evens out one way or another.