Photo/Illutration Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito meets reporters on Sept. 19 after a no-confidence motion against him was unanimously approved by the Hyogo prefectural assembly. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

On Sept. 19, the Hyogo prefectural assembly unanimously passed a no-confidence motion against Motohiko Saito, the Hyogo governor accused of power harassment and corruption. 

Saito has no choice but to resign.

The matter stems from the death of a former Hyogo prefectural employee who raised the initial allegations.

The official formerly headed the prefectural government’s branch office in charge of the Nishi-Harima region. Before his apparent suicide in July, the man distributed a document denouncing Saito and others for abusive and corrupt acts.

Saito responded to the assembly vote by stating he took it seriously, but he said nothing about what action he will take, only going as far as to say he would “consider” his next steps.

The Local Autonomy Law allows the head of a local government, who has been the subject of a no-confidence resolution, to dissolve the assembly. If Saito takes that option, he must act by the end of the month or lose his post.

Under the dual representation system where both the head of the local government and the assembly members are elected by the voting public, the local government chief’s power to dissolve the assembly is a countermeasure against a no-confidence vote, intended for use in cases such as severe policy disputes between the two sides.

In Saito’s case, there is absolutely no rationale for dissolving the assembly.

The political turmoil raging in the western Japan prefecture began with issues related to the prefectural administration, particularly allegations against Saito concerning power harassment toward his staff and unprincipled acceptance of gifts.

As experts have repeatedly pointed out, the whistleblower should have been protected as someone conducting “external public interest disclosure,” the act of exposing any kind of information or activity within an organization that is deemed illegal, unethical or not correct.

After getting his hands on the document, Saito gathered his close aides mentioned in the tirade and ordered them to carry out an investigation. Shortly thereafter, he dismissed the contents of the document as “a pack of lies” at a news conference and criticized the whistleblower as “unfit to work as a public servant,” adding, “I think disciplinary action will be taken.”

Even after the man later filed through the prefecture’s whistleblowing system, the investigation continued, and the prefecture disciplined him. According to some sources, the governor himself urged a swift decision on the punishment.

The prefectural assembly has set up a powerful special investigative committee to investigate the allegations. In addition to acknowledging issues related to the whistleblowing system, the panel confirmed that many of the allegations about power harassment and gifts were true or close to the truth.

If Saito were to dissolve the assembly, the special committee would also be dissolved. Voters would likely see such a move as a tactic to prolong his term and save his political skin.

If a newly elected assembly decides again on a no-confidence vote, the governor will be forced to resign immediately. This would result in criticism that Saito wasted precious time and election expenses for nothing.

Saito, although he has denied responsibility, admitted in a news conference immediately following the no-confidence vote, “I am responsible for the current situation.” The best option for him is to take responsibility for the situation and step down now, which, to many voters, would be the most logical and acceptable action he can take.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 21

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