Photo/Illutration Seven parliamentary groups from the Maebashi city assembly hand a resignation recommendation letter to Maebashi Mayor Akira Ogawa on Nov. 13. (Mari Nakamura)

MAEBASHI—Seven parliamentary groups in the Maebashi municipal assembly threatened to submit a no-confidence motion against the mayor if she refuses to resign over her repeated visits to love hotels with a married official.

A letter handed to Mayor Akira Ogawa by the groups on Nov. 13 said she has until the start of the regular assembly session on Nov. 27 to step down.

Nearly 90 percent of all assembly members belong to these seven parliamentary groups. If a no-confidence motion is submitted against the mayor, it is highly likely to be passed, which could force Ogawa from the post.

Upon receiving the letter, Ogawa, a 42-year-old independent, said, “I will listen to the voices of citizens and consider all possibilities before making a decision.”

Ogawa, who is not married, had earlier confirmed she went to love hotels with a senior city official. But she denied they were in a sexual relationship.

“The mayor’s inappropriate acts and subsequent response have caused confusion and stagnation in the city administration, significantly damaged the city’s image, and negatively impacted overall regional economic activity, which cannot be overlooked,” the letter said.

It asserted that the mayor’s resignation is essential to restore normal operations of the city administration and improve Maebashi’s image.

The seven parliamentary groups, including Liberal Democratic Party-affiliated Maebashi Koshikai, had already requested the mayor’s resignation in writing on Oct. 22.

Ogawa, who was elected Maebashi’s first female mayor in February 2024, reduced her salary by 50 percent for the remainder of her term. But she maintained her stance to stay in the post.

The letter criticized her response, saying, “Disregarding the request from assembly members is the same as ignoring the voices of many city residents and has severely eroded trust between the assembly and the mayor.”

The letter also noted that the Maebashi Chamber of Commerce and Industry had submitted a request to Ogawa on Nov. 10, calling for a “broad-minded decision.”

“As we work to enhance education and welfare, we cannot allow Maebashi’s industries to stagnate,” Hideaki Ozone, secretary-general of Maebashi Koshikai, said. “What the mayor should do now is resign and sincerely apologize to the citizens.”

Regarding the decision to threaten a no-confidence vote, Takeshi Ishizuka, secretary-general of the Komeito group, said the seven parliamentary groups had already pressed her to step down.

“What we have been doing is the same as a resignation recommendation resolution,” Ishizuka said. “Because she still didn’t move, we reached a conclusion to threaten a no-confidence vote.”

Yoshie Kondo, leader of Japanese Communist Party Maebashi, added, “We have decided to write about (the no-confidence motion) in order to make the mayor step down by any means necessary.”

Passing a no-confidence motion requires attendance by at least two-thirds of all assembly members and approval by at least three-fourths of those present. Thirty-two of the 37 Maebashi assembly members are members of the seven parliamentary groups.

If the legally binding no-confidence motion is passed, Ogawa could dissolve the assembly, but she would have to do so within 10 days. If that happens, she would face another no-confidence vote at a meeting of the new assembly.

If she does not resign or dissolve the assembly within the 10 days, she would automatically be ousted from the post.

The mayor is scheduled to hold dialogue sessions with city residents on Nov. 14 and 15.

Ozone explained the timing of the groups’ letter to Ogawa.

“Expressing the assembly’s stance before the sessions will serve as one piece of information for city residents to make their judgment,” he said. “The most important thing is to prevent further damage to Maebashi’s image, and for that, we must start a new administration under a new leader as soon as possible.”

Ishizuka also emphasized the need for swift action, saying, “It is difficult to deliberate on proposals coming from a mayor with whom there is no trust.”

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