The governor of Tokyo resigned yesterday after he admitted receiving an undeclared US$500,000 from a hospital tycoon ahead of his election, in what he claimed was an interest-free, personal loan.
Naoki Inose, who was elected head of one of the world’s biggest cities a year ago, had faced weeks of intense pressure over suspicions that the money amounted to a bung and an attempt to influence policy.
“I have decided to resign from the post of Tokyo governor,” Inose told a hurriedly arranged press conference. “I intended to fulfill my duty of explaining to the city assembly, people of Tokyo and people of the nation, but regrettably I could not clear doubts over me. It’s solely because of my lack of virtue.”
Photo: EPA
Inose, who lost his wife to cancer earlier this year, was a key figure in Tokyo’s successful bid for the 2020 Olympics and said his resignation was partially aimed at avoiding a negative impact on preparations for the Games.
Writer-turned-politician Inose admitted last month that he had received ￥50 million (US$500,000) from the political family behind the huge Tokushukai medical group before running in last year’s gubernatorial election.
He did not declare the sum in his campaign accounts, but insisted that it was not any kind of slush fund.
Under Japanese election law, campaign treasurers must report all income related to electioneering. Those who violate the law can face prison terms of up to three years or fines of up to ￥500,000.
Inose has cut an increasingly lonely figure over the past few weeks as the furor around him swelled.
He has been grilled by a hostile assembly on several occasions, with the media picking apart his physical appearance and his stuttering performance, focusing on the beads of sweat that dripped down his neck.
Inose said he paid back the “loan” after the investigation surfaced in September. He said he was only able to return the money after the probe because he had been busy running Tokyo’s bid to host the Games and attending to his dying wife.
FRAUD ALLEGED: The leader of an opposition alliance made allegations of electoral irregularities and called for a protest in Tirana as European leaders are to meet Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party scored a large victory in parliamentary elections, securing him his fourth term, official results showed late on Tuesday. The Socialist Party won 52.1 percent of the vote on Sunday compared with 34.2 percent for an alliance of opposition parties led by his main rival Sali Berisha, according to results released by the Albanian Central Election Commission. Diaspora votes have yet to be counted, but according to initial results, Rama was also leading there. According to projections, the Socialist Party could have more lawmakers than in 2021 elections. At the time, it won 74 seats in the
EUROPEAN FUTURE? Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama says only he could secure EU membership, but challenges remain in dealing with corruption and a brain drain Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama seeks to win an unprecedented fourth term, pledging to finally take the country into the EU and turn it into a hot tourist destination with some help from the Trump family. The artist-turned-politician has been pitching Albania as a trendy coastal destination, which has helped to drive up tourism arrivals to a record 11 million last year. US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, also joined in the rush, pledging to invest US$1.4 billion to turn a largely deserted island into a luxurious getaway. Rama is expected to win another term after yesterday’s vote. The vote would
CANCER: Jose Mujica earned the moniker ‘world’s poorest president’ for giving away much of his salary and living a simple life on his farm, with his wife and dog Tributes poured in on Tuesday from across Latin America following the death of former Uruguayan president Jose “Pepe” Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics. He was 89. Mujica, who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity, lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment. “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend,” Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi wrote on X. “Pepe, eternal,” a cyclist shouted out minutes later,
A Croatian town has come up with a novel solution to solve the issue of working parents when there are no public childcare spaces available: pay grandparents to do it. Samobor, near the capital, Zagreb, has become the first in the country to run a “Grandmother-Grandfather Service,” which pays 360 euros (US$400) a month per child. The scheme allows grandparents to top up their pension, but the authorities also hope it will boost family ties and tackle social isolation as the population ages. “The benefits are multiple,” Samobor Mayor Petra Skrobot told reporters. “Pensions are rather low and for parents it is sometimes
RSS