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The Hyogo Prefectural Assembly is scheduled to vote on a no-confidence motion against Governor Motohiko Saito on the afternoon of September 19, following the passage of the supplementary budget bill. The decision was confirmed on the 17th, as various factions within the assembly plan to deliberate the budget on the first day of the September session before moving forward with the no-confidence vote.
Sources indicate that the no-confidence motion will be debated and voted upon later in the afternoon, with the outcome anticipated to be a decisive blow to Saito’s tenure. The vote is expected to occur in the evening or later, and with the motion likely to pass, Saito will face a critical choice: either resign from his position, lose his role as governor, or dissolve the assembly.
Governor Saito addressed the media on the 17th, reiterating his commitment to remain in office despite the looming vote. When asked how he would handle the situation if the no-confidence motion succeeded, Saito acknowledged the gravity of the decision, stating, “It can be a lonely decision to make. It’s my own business, so I’ll think about it carefully.”
In preparation for the vote, arrangements are being made to conduct the balloting through an open ballot system, rather than a standing vote. This method aims to ensure transparency in the voting process as the assembly grapples with the ongoing controversy surrounding Saito.
The assembly’s decision will mark a pivotal moment in Hyogo’s political landscape, as the outcome will determine not only the future of Governor Saito but also the broader dynamics within the prefectural government.