Latest news with #Saito
The Mainichi
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Hyogo Gov. referred to prosecutors over election law violation in west Japan pref.
KOBE -- Hyogo Prefectural Police on June 20 sent documents on Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Act by paying a PR company in return for campaign services during last fall's gubernatorial election, sources close to the matter have revealed to the Mainichi Shimbun. Police also sent prosecutors papers on the 33-year-old female president of the PR company Merchu, who allegedly received payment from Saito's side, on suspicion of receiving bribes under the same law. Authorities have not disclosed their views on how the two should be prosecuted. The Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office will carefully examine whether the two bear criminal responsibility. Shortly after the 47-year-old governor's reelection in November 2024, the PR company president posted online that she had been "entrusted with overall public relations" among other things. Saito's campaign paid the PR company a total of 715,000 yen (about $4,900), and in December 2024, parties including a university professor filed a criminal complaint against the two, claiming the payment constituted compensation for election campaign activities. Saito's side has explained that the payment was for the production of campaign posters and flyers, which are permitted under the election law, and has completely denied any illegality or bribery. (Japanese original by Yuta Shibayama and Yuria Kiyama, Kobe Bureau)
14 hours ago
- Politics
Hyogo Governor Referred to Prosecutors over Alleged Vote Buying
News from Japan Society Jun 20, 2025 17:56 (JST) Kobe, June 20 (Jiji Press)--Police referred Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito to prosecutors Friday on suspicion of vote buying over his alleged payments to a public relations company for campaign activities in the western Japan prefecture's gubernatorial election last November, people familiar with the investigation said. The prefectural police sent papers on Saito, 47, to prosecutors after a criminal complaint was filed last December over the governor's alleged payments that violate the public offices election law. The police also sent papers on the 33-year-old president of the PR firm. Saito has also been referred to prosecutors for an alleged breach of trust related to a victory parade for local professional baseball teams. The governor has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Speaking to reporters in Kobe, the capital of Hyogo, on Friday, Saito said, "There is no change in my recognition that I've acted in compliance with laws, including the public offices election law." The PR company president has not responded to requests for comments. Saito is suspected of paying 715,000 yen to the PR firm on Nov. 4 last year for work on his re-election campaign, which included planning a PR strategy and managing the campaign's social media presence. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
13-06-2025
- Politics
Hyogo Gov. Referred to Prosecutors over Baseball Parade
News from Japan Jun 13, 2025 18:16 (JST) Kobe, June 13 (Jiji Press)--Police in Hyogo Prefecture on Friday sent papers on Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito and former Vice Governor Yasutaka Katayama to prosecutors for an alleged breach of trust related to a victory parade for local professional baseball teams, according to investigative sources. The Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office is expected to carefully decide whether to indict them. Last year, a civic group filed a criminal complaint against Saito and Katayama, claiming that they sought donations for the victory parade in return for an increase in subsidies for financial institutions in November 2023. The group argued that the subsidy increase was unnecessary and caused losses for the prefectural government. Speaking to reporters in the Hyogo city of Toyooka, Saito reiterated that he was handling the matter while abiding by the law, and added that he will fully cooperate with the investigation. Katayama issued a statement through a lawyer, saying that police raised no issues after he explained that there was no link between the victory parade and the subsidy increase. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
The Mainichi
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Tokyo event helps men take better dating photos
TOKYO -- An event to help middle-aged men take better "selfies" (photos you take of yourself) for dating apps was held in Tokyo. At this event on May 31, love expert Kikuno, 45, gave advice to eight single men in their 40s and 50s. She said photos are very important when trying to find love online. Kikuno explained simple rules to look good. For example, yellow lights often make people's faces look dark. Outside, sunlight is better for clear photos. She also said many men this age do not smile enough in photos. She gave other helpful tips. One tip was to use the camera on the back of the phone, not the front. This can take clearer, better photos. Kikuno also said that shirts should not be too tight or too wrinkled. Opening one button on a shirt can make someone look more relaxed and friendly. Saito (not his real name), 42, from Kawagoe, learned to relax and smile better. He said, "Before, I was shy and could not smile well. Today, after learning these tips, I enjoyed taking photos." Nomoto (also not his real name), 53, from Tokyo, said at the end, "Before, I did not think much about taking photos. Now I know just one good photo can change everything." The event was planned by a dating-app company in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. The company helps single people over 40 years old meet others online. (Japanese original by Tsuyoshi Goto, Opinion Editorial Department) Vocabulary dating app: a phone app to meet new people and find someone to love middle-aged: people not young, about 40 to 60 years old expert: someone who knows a lot about something wrinkled: having many small folds or lines (usually clothes or skin) shy: feeling nervous or embarrassed when meeting new people tips: useful, helpful ideas or advice
12-06-2025
- Politics
Hyogo Assembly Decides Not to Vote on Governor Pay Cut Plan
News from Japan Society Jun 12, 2025 12:57 (JST) Kobe, June 12 (Jiji Press)--The Hyogo prefectural assembly Thursday decided not to vote in this month's session on a draft ordinance cutting the pay of Governor Motohiko Saito of the western Japan prefecture. The assembly decided with majority support to have further deliberations on the matter in a later session, due to a lack of materials to judge whether the draft is appropriate. Saito proposed the pay reduction over a leak of private information of a whistleblower who compiled a document containing harassment allegations against the governor. Saito has said he will punish himself as the prefecture's executive head, but he has denied giving an order to leak the information. The draft ordinance calls for expanding the governor's pay cut from the current 30 pct to 50 pct for three months from July. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
