How did the cities political bosses grow wealthy?

Political Bosses were the leaders of the political machines, they grew wealthy because they assigned government contracts asking for favors like votes or promoting campaign on their favor, they also controlled financing of campaigns to later ask for recompense. By doing this they reached position in the local government of cities, counties and states and this way concentrated wealth around corruption.

i'd assume india mainly because of how isolated japan was.   plus it is a whole china away.