Japanese papers pay people to attend forums

Three Japanese newspapers paid people to turn up to public forums that they had co-sponsored with government organisations. It has emerged that Iwate Nippo, based in Morioka, Kahoku Shimpo, based in Sendai and the Fukuoka-based Nishinippon Shimbun paid small sums, up to £20, to participants in order to fill vacant seats at various forums. Recently, two companies - Sankei Shimbun and Chiba Nippo - punished employees, including their presidents, over similar scandals. (Via AsiaMedia)