One such challenge, the Vatican Bank, is equivalent to cleaning up the Augean stables. It is enough to mention the words Vatican and bank in the same sentence to start a cascade of jokes about comic opera ineptness and skullduggery.

Instead, these respectable supporters have gradually been replaced over the years by a shady new class of rich Japanese, who have risen through loan sharking and other dubious businesses. As a result, some Sumo stables have become associated in one way or another with people running front companies for Yakuza organizations.

What people crave in uncertain times is strong leadership from charismatic figures who promise to sweep the stables, get rid of corruption, and stand up for the little man against selfish politicians and against foreigners who threaten us with strange habits and religions. Such times are dangerous for democracy, because they endanger popular consent to democratic governments.