Image Credits: The Japan Times
Details have emerged regarding an intense and reportedly authoritarian interrogation led by Hyogo Prefecture Vice Governor Kosuke Katayama. The questioning targeted the former Nishi-Harima Prefectural Affairs Bureau chief, who authored a document accusing Governor Motohiko Saito of power harassment before his death in July.
Sources reveal that Katayama utilized his position of authority to aggressively interrogate the former bureau chief, pressing him for names and details of alleged informants. The vice governor’s approach has been criticized by experts as “extremely malicious” given its implications for protecting whistleblowers.
The investigation unfolded on March 25, when Katayama visited the Nishi-Harima Prefectural Government Bureau under the pretense of an informal check-in. During this visit, Katayama scrutinized the former director’s official emails, which contained information relevant to the harassment accusations. The director had previously acknowledged recording circulating rumors but denied any involvement in distributing the accusatory letter.
Katayama’s line of questioning included demands for the identities of those suspected of contributing to the letter, indicating a broader effort to unearth potential collaborators. He suggested that some staff members might face repercussions, such as withheld promotions, if they were implicated.
The vice governor’s interrogation extended to specific allegations mentioned in the letter, such as the governor receiving gifts like coffee makers from a company. Katayama’s probing questions implied a belief that such details were known only to a select few employees, intensifying scrutiny on potential internal sources.
This approach has sparked significant concern about the handling of whistleblower information and the broader implications for staff who may be under investigation. The aggressive nature of the questioning highlights the tensions surrounding the allegations against Governor Saito and the administration’s response to these serious claims.