Photo/Illutration The report by a Fukui prefectural government panel contains examples of emails sent by former Governor Tatsuji Sugimoto soliciting everything from meals to sex from female employees. (The Asahi Shimbun)

FUKUI—An investigative panel looking into sexual harassment allegations against Tatsuji Sugimoto, who resigned as Fukui governor in November, was blistering in its criticism.

The report, released on Jan. 7, pointed to about 1,000 emails of a sexual nature sent by Sugimoto that extended back about 20 years, further saying his actions bordering on stalking and groping of female subordinates could be subject to criminal investigation.

The panel concluded that he still bears major responsibility despite resigning. 

After the report was released, Sugimoto issued a statement through his lawyer that apologized to the victims.

It also described his initial reaction last year where Sugimoto asserted that he intended the emails to be jokes and banter as “inexcusable, vulgar and despicable” and which deeply hurt the dignity of the victims.

A prefectural government source said none of the female victims indicated an intention to pursue criminal complaints against Sugimoto.

The panel began its investigation after a woman in the Fukui prefectural government's employ filed a complaint in April 2025 about sexual harassment from Sugimoto in emails.

The panel eventually interviewed 14 individuals and concluded that four, including the initial complainant, were victims of sexual harassment.

The harassment dated from 2004 when Sugimoto was dispatched from the internal affairs ministry to the Fukui prefectural government to head the general affairs department.

The emails asked the women to become his lovers and he said he wanted to kiss and hug them.

Noting that the emails were sent over an extended period and due to their consistent sexual tone, the panel said Sugimoto had to be aware that what he was doing constituted sexual harassment.

The panel also said that even if the women rejected Sugimoto’s suggestions, he would again send them emails inviting them out for meals and asking for a sexual relationship.

The persistence with which he sent those emails led the panel to suggest that he might have violated anti-stalking laws.

The report said one victim described what she endured as a form of domestic violence and there were also instances of psychological pain because the emails came at all hours of the day, even outside work.

Three women said Sugimoto fondled them in restaurants.

In response to questioning by the panel, Sugimoto said he had no recollection of touching any of the women who raised the complaints.

The final report dismissed this, concluding that Sugimoto’s response could not be trusted and said his groping may constitute nonconsensual indecent acts.

The panel did not believe Sugimoto’s initial excuse that the emails were meant as a joke.

Regarding the repeated instances of sexual harassment, the report also blasted Sugimoto for a total lack of self-awareness of his position as prefectural governor.

The report went on to criticize the supervisors of the female victims for not immediately reporting their complaints to the relevant office in the Fukui prefectural government.

The Fukui gubernatorial election to select Sugimoto’s successor will officially start Jan. 8. Sugimoto has indicated that he will not run.

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