It has been revealed that in a survey conducted by a special investigative committee of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly (Hyakujō Committee) regarding the allegations against Governor Motohiko Saito, 40% of prefectural employees reported having seen or heard about the governor’s power harassment. The governor remains firm in his intention to continue in office, and the investigation is ongoing, but with serious complaints continuing to arise, how should this prolonged issue be viewed? (Ikuko Kihara)
Document detailing seven allegations against Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito, including power harassment of employees
◆ “Can’t you even press the elevator button?” scolded
The survey targeted approximately 9,700 prefectural employees, with about 70% responding. According to the interim results, which examined about 4,500 responses submitted by the 5th of this month, 59 people answered that they had witnessed or experienced power harassment and “actually know about it.” Combining those who heard “from someone who actually knows” or “through word of mouth,” it was revealed that 38.3% of the total had seen or heard about the situation.
The free description section included new testimonies. One employee recounted an incident during a site inspection where the governor was scolded with the remark “Can’t you even press the elevator button?” when the doors closed just as he was getting on the elevator. There were also claims that he kicked the front passenger seat from the back seat when he realized that their arrival time would be delayed during travel in a government vehicle.
◆ Governor Saito continues to completely deny the allegations
In response, the embroiled Governor Saito stated at a press conference on the 20th, “I have no such awareness,” completely denying the power harassment allegations. “Well… it’s work… after all. There are times when I may need to provide strict guidance, but I am pointing it out appropriately within the necessary scope for business,” he spoke calmly.
Screenshot of Governor Motohiko Saito’s official website
The series of issues began in March when a former bureau chief made allegations of power harassment in writing. However, in May, the prefecture classified this as “defamation,” and the former bureau chief received a three-month suspension as disciplinary action. He unexpectedly passed away just before testifying at the Hyakujō Committee in July, which intensified criticism.
What do experts think? If mental illness arises from power harassment, it could be recognized as an industrial accident in a regular private company. Kenji Takushi, a labor physician and representative director of the Japan Stress Check Association (Tokyo), stated, “For industrial accidents, the criterion for judgment is how much damage has accumulated on one individual.”
He mentioned that if the extent of hearing or witnessing the governor’s power harassment is as indicated in the survey, it would remain a general overall damage and not qualify as an industrial accident. However, he noted that “if there are acts like kicking the front passenger seat from the back, it could be recognized as power harassment. It has continued this long because there have been successful experiences in the past with power harassment.”
◆ Expert: “It’s strange why he doesn’t resign instead.”
If we assume the employees’ accounts are true, it would be preferable to avoid the prolongation of these issues. Takushi pointed out, “A learned helplessness among employees has spread, creating a situation where ‘no matter what we do, we can no longer deal with it,’ which has exacerbated the situation. When the bond to the organization weakens, productivity tends to decrease, and there is nothing good that comes from it.”
Despite many close aides stepping down, the governor hopes to continue in office. In the press conference that day, when asked how he would take responsibility, he repeated, “It is important to push the prefectural administration forward step by step.” A survey by the Kobe Shimbun at the end of July showed a sharp drop in his approval rating to 15%, but when asked about this, he stated, “I would like to thank the 15% who support me.”
Professor Kenji Suzuki from Meiji University (Political Science) said, “It is truly strange why he does not resign, despite a situation where people have died and the prefectural administration is clearly stagnant.” He expressed disappointment that, given the governor is relatively young and was said to be a reformist, he should take swift accountability to prevent further prolongation of the issue.