Corrupt Japanese politicians being ousted from their posts for their dubious financial dealings have been an unfortunate yet standard part of the political landscape here since the end of Word War II.

From low-ranking bank benchers, to prime ministers, and every level of lawmaker in between, the nation seems only a week away from hearing about the next public servant to misappropriate funds or raise them in a way that violates the election law.

Even though high-profile corruption cases involving politicians always grab the media limelight, experts believe the actual number of those involved in shady dealings that mix money and politics is actually far higher and woven into the very fabric of Japan's political framework.

"Funding scandals in Japan, particularly those where money was 'donated' from a dubious source to finance an election campaign, are usually exposed when the source becomes disgruntled with the politician for reneging on policy promises," said Keiko Gono, a prominent Tokyo-based sociologist.

Gono said the government needs to implement stricter checks and balances and issue firmer penalties to politicians who are found with their fingers in the till.

But she said that in contrast to some Western countries, in Japan, a lot can and is forgiven and forgotten with a heartfelt apology.

The recent drama of Hyogo prefectural assemblyman Ryutaro Nonomura, who, in a carnival-like performance, bawled his eyes out and banged his fists on the table while blubbering incomprehensible regrets for his misuse of political expenses, at a three-hour news conference on July 1, not only made a mockery of the image of public servants in Japan, but also highlighted the lack of checks and balances to keep politicians in line.

In fact the Nonomura incident, the hysterical news conference of which made him an overnight Internet sensation, revealed an inherent fragility in a system that purports to serve those who vote for, and indeed, ultimately finance it.

Nonomura himself, prior to being nabbed, used political activity funds of 3 million yen (29,370 U.S. dollars) for 195 personal day trips, mainly to hot spring resorts in fiscal 2013.

"Admittedly, there have been worse cases of dirty politicians than Nonomura in recent years, but the worrying fact is the frequency at which they are being unearthed. One has to wonder if the government were serious about cleaning up its act, how many lawmakers higher up the food chain would be caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar?" Gono said.

She said the local police had received a criminal complaint from the caucuses of the prefectural assembly, asking investigators to treat Nonomura's case with the same severity as a street crime, to which ordinarily they wouldn't.

"When politicians are subject to the same treatment as regular criminals, they'll think twice before trying to swindle the public. Perhaps then we'll begin to see a political landscape here less influenced by corruption," she said.