Takahisa Sato, 73, a member of the Ogawara Town Council in Miyagi Prefecture was recently caught playing on his smartphone during a plenary session of the town’s council meeting. Sato, a veteran councilor elected five times and previously serving as council chairman, has a long history of public service. In response to the incident, he commented, “I deeply apologize for the trouble I have caused everyone. I am very sorry.”
According to the Town of Ogawara, a young student observing the council meeting as part of a school trip caught Sato playing a smartphone game during the session. In their reflections, the children commented on Satoโs behavior.
โI donโt understand why there was a council member playing games in the middle of the discussion.โ โI wondered if someone like that is fit for a council member,” another student commented.
The Aftermath
To this, Sato responded stating, โI donโt recall playing games during the meeting, but several elementary school students claim they saw it, and I accept that as a fact. Rather than playing on it I was just looking at the screen,โ he explained.
He apologized, stating further that โI did, in fact violate morality, whether if I was playing the game or just looking at it. I deeply regret that I caused the elementary school students to feel disappointed. I promise to act with a sense of urgency in the future.โ
At the all-member council meeting harsh criticisms were voiced, with members stating that โit is shameful and indulgent,โ that โcouncil members have to always be conscious of their actions as council members.โ The town passed a resolution recommending Satoโs resignation with a majority vote.
A recent report stated that Sato has resigned due to threats to his life. In an interview with the press, Sato apologized again, admitting that his actions were inadequate for a councilor.
Sato revealed that he had received much criticism after the incident was publicized, but with the encouragement of his supporters, he intended to continue until the end of his term. However, he decided to resign after he received life-threatening threats to himself and his family
Additionally, according to the Ogawara Town Council, the council secretariat received around 130 calls and emails on this issue, some of which demanded Satoโs resignation. Although these messages criticized and questioned his actions as a councilor, none were life-threatening, the town council added.
Sleeping Politicians
In recent years, politicians at all levels of government have faced increased scrutiny for slacking in their duties, including for sleeping during council meetings. Japanese media companies have brought cameras into public council sessions, capturing these moments.
Videos of politicians slacking off, often uploaded to YouTube, have garnered significant attention from the public. These TV productions aim to hold politicians accountable by publicizing their inadequate actions. The resulting media coverage often forces politicians to apologize for their behavior and, in some cases, to resign.
The case with Akitakata City
One notable case that caused a stir among the Japanese public occurred in Akitakata City, Hiroshima Prefecture. During a council meeting led by the newly appointed city mayor, someone was heard snoring in the room. The incident gained attention when the young town mayor, Shinji Ishimaru, tweeted about council members dozing off during meetings, which went viral on Twitter.
โThis morning, during the general questioning in the meeting, one council member was dozing off and snoring for 30 minutes,โ Ishimaru tweeted.
This tweet became a catalyst for change in the small town of 27,000 people. Ishimaru’s statements, featured in popular short videos, resonated with viewers and quickly went viral. He declared that he would point out anything wrong, asserting that “bad things are bad.”
The pressure mounted by Ishimaru and the public resulted in the city publishing clear guidelines for sleeping council members.
Dubbed a “social-media populist” by The Economist, Ishimaru ran for Tokyo governor in July. Although he didn’t win, his second-place finish surprised many, especially given his strong support from voters in their teens and twenties.
However, his aggressive online tactics and behavior during the campaign have sparked backlash. Ishimaru faced criticism for his harsh responses in TV interviews, particularly his dismissive attitude toward certain reporters. His stubborn stance has fueled further debate about his fitness as a politician.
The future of Japanese politics
This tension between traditional and modern approaches in Japanese politics is further highlighted by the ongoing controversy surrounding sleeping politicians. Digital photo albums featuring these politicians, including prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Abe, continue to surface online. The public has reacted with widespread protests, overwhelming municipalities with complaints from concerned citizens.
In response, several cities, including Akitakata, have taken steps to address these issues. Akitakata City released a statement outlining measures to combat the problem of council members sleeping during meetings.
Meanwhile, Ishikawa City in Chiba Prefecture issued a declaration to “regain the trust of citizens” after its council members were caught sleeping, reading, and engaging in other activities during council sessions. However, both statements remain vague, and concerns persist.
As these incidents continue to surface, they underscore a growing demand for greater transparency and accountability in Japanese politics. Instances of politicians slacking off, particularly during council meetings, have raised serious questions about the role and effectiveness of local councils and their members. Critics argue that it is the public’s responsibility to elect officials who remain vigilant and engaged.
The fact that council members are funded by taxpayers’ money intensifies the backlash against inattentive politicians. In the context of broader political scandals that have eroded public trust, scrutiny of elected officials has intensified.
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Social-media populists have arrived in Japan
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