In the Nov. 17 Hyogo Prefecture gubernatorial election, the former governor, Motohiko Saito, was re-elected.

Saito’s initially unexpected re-election came more than seven months after allegations of harassment by the governor toward prefectural employees surfaced.

The allegations were made in a whistleblower document circulated by a former head of the prefectural government’s branch office in charge of the Nishi-Harima region, who died in an apparent suicide in July, to assembly members and the media.

The propriety of the investigation into the document and its author directed by Saito and the subsequent disciplinary action against the former official was called into question.

Although Saito was dismissed from office by a unanimous no-confidence vote from the prefectural assembly, the citizens of the prefecture elected him to office once again.

During his election campaign, Saito promised "three commitments," starting with a thorough investigation into issues related to the whistleblowing document and the implementation of improvement measures.

The investigation into the matter by a powerful special investigative committee set up by the prefectural assembly (the so-called Article 100 Committee) is still ongoing, as are separate inquiries by the prefecture's public interest whistleblower contact point and a panel of experts.

Full cooperation with these investigations is Saito's minimum obligation.

Saito’s second commitment was to "rebuild trust with the citizens, prefectural employees and the prefectural assembly."

During campaign speeches on the streets, Saito maintained that his response to the document issue was correct, but repeatedly said, "There are things I need to reflect on and change."

Whether he can maintain this humble attitude of self-reflection remains to be seen.

Similar to recent national and local elections, Saito's campaign was boosted by social media outreach, as he received no support from political or other organizations.

The internet is becoming the "main battleground” in elections, but if the information circulated there differs from the facts, it could mislead voters and lead to erroneous choices.

Takashi Tachibana, who ran in the gubernatorial election under the slogan "Supporting Saito," continuously posted reams of videos aligned with this objective on YouTube.

In his “seiken hoso” policy speech broadcast, a publicly funded presentation of political views conducted through radio and TV, Tachibana, head of a political group, claimed that the former head of the prefectural government branch office “fabricated things that never happened, and the media treated them as if they were true.”

He also discussed topics alleged to pertain to the deceased person's privacy.

During the prefectural assembly's special committee investigation, several experts pointed out that the investigation and disciplinary action against the whistleblower might have contravened the whistleblower protection law.

Surveys and other attempts to uncover the truth showed that some employees were actually aware of the harassment issue. The allegations should not be dismissed merely as "something that never happened.”

Apart from those by Tachibana, various unfounded and slanderous statements circulated online. There is an urgent need to create an environment for constructive debates where arguments are based on objective facts.

Accurate information dissemination is also required in TV, newspapers and magazines. Efforts should be made to create a better space for public discourse.

Saito emphasized the continuation of prefectural administration reforms he led over the past three years as his third commitment. On the internet, there were numerous posts that viewed the prefectural assembly, which had confronted Saito, as "entrenched interests."

However, as representatives of the citizens alongside the governor, members of the assembly have an important role in fully exercising their function as the watchdog, monitoring and checking the governor’s policies and actions.

The prefectural assembly should diligently conduct its investigation through the special committee and compile a report.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 19