politics

Tokyo governor submits resignation effective June 21

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Good I hope this scares more of these types onto the straight and narrow. The fact that there are crooked political people in japan is obvious but kudos to those for doing the right thing and taking out the trash. People tend to forget if japan was so crooked this would have never been found out and dealt with in such a manner.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

More money wasted on an election... can't his deputy just assume the role of international jet-setting art researcher until the current term expires ?

16 ( +17 / -1 )

The farce that is Japanese politics continues.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

and while Masuzoe’s departure is unlikely to impact the city’s ability to manage the event, his travails have proven a fresh embarrassment for the scandal-plagued Games.

Fresh embarrassment? Not really just a continuing one.

More money wasted on an election... can't his deputy just assume the role of international jet-setting art researcher until the current term expires ?

No.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Well, I hope he's also going to be arrested, charged with theft, found guilty and sent to prison.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Good riddance.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

pledged an administration free of money scandals

well isn't that Special

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Man, does he look pissed. haha!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

From Ishihara to Inose to Masuzoe, it's been nothing but controversy since 1999 or such. It's doubtful that anyone can run that won't be a right wing embarrassment or involved in yet another money scandal. That's just how Tokyo rolls. How anyone can be elected and not get caught up in the money culture will currently be highly improbable without actual laws and carte blanche investigations not under political control. So basically, never

What did the IOC see that hasn't been apparent for decades? A kindred spirit? International news is going to enjoy Tokyo 2020. No end to stories

5 ( +7 / -2 )

One year in prison and 1 year community service would restore my believe in him. He could then come back as mayor for the olympics!

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

I wonder what made him that defiant and adamant in his refusal to step down. Anyway, he's finished as a politician.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

On assuming office as governor, the telegenic French-speaking Masuzoe—a former health and labor minister—pledged an administration free of money scandals.

Well that was close enough. He turned out to have an administration of free money scandal.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Guinness: "World's most expensive pajamas" confirmed

2 ( +4 / -2 )

News of the resignation comes as Tokyo is set to host the 2020 Olympics, and while Masuzoe’s departure is unlikely to impact the city’s ability to manage the event,

His term as governor was originally set to run to 2018, but with his resignation, a new governor will be elected to a fresh four-year term

Or not at all, considering he wasn't guaranteed to be around beyond his (former) term. I'm glad he's not going to Rio as Tokyo's representative either.

I hope the good people of Tokyo can have candidates that have their (the citizens) well-being more at heart.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The thing that kills me is that the numbers being presented are small potatoes to the huge amount of money that has been wasted in the Tohoku region, trying to "clean forests" of their radiation! How much money was siphoned off to construction companies and then Yakuza led companies, all without an eye batted. This just seems to easy for the media to pile on Masazoe, when there are far bigger fish to catch.

5 ( +6 / -2 )

Meiyouwenti: "I wonder what made him that defiant and adamant in his refusal to step down."

Mid-June bonus, more winning and dining if he goes as Tokyo Olympics representative to Brazil, but probably ultimately it was the salary that kept him there, and the fame. Who's he going to tell his mistress (probably has another one or two around, like he has in the past) and kids from different women he is now that he is no longer Governor? He wanted the money and the fame, now he has infamy instead.

"Anyway, he's finished as a politician."

No, this is Japan. He stands just as much chance of being reelected to the same position, or another position somewhere, as he does of not being. I'm willing to bet people in his hometown are already holding "Ganbare!" signs and wishing he would run for office locally.

Anyway, he stuck around for longer than most do. Usually the famous "I'm not going to resign" ends in resignation within the week. He lasted about a month after initially saying so.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Just saw on the news he resigned because he got a death threat

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Can we now expect to see legislation containing clearly written rules specifying how the public's money may be spent by our elected officials introduced? Didn't think so...

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Great! So, is it my turn?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

His term as governor was originally set to run to 2018, but with his resignation, a new governor will be elected to a fresh four-year term, requiring the mega city to hold another gubernatorial election around the time Tokyo hosts the 2020 Olympics.

I actually wouldn't worry about having to have another gubernatorial election at the time of the Tokyo Olympics. Given the current state of Japan politics and scandals, there isn't much doubt that the next governor will do something stupid and will be out of office well before the end of his term!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

You can see why these guys prefer to spend corporate dough instead of public funds. But Politics has always ben a gravy train. Here in the states congress voted themselves the best health care plan in the country, and that includes after retirement. Super pacs are back. It's always as easy as this. Follow the money. It will never fail. And that includes what to watch if Trump gets elected. I wouldn't be surprised if he selected Dan Quayle as his v.p. choice.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Like he had a choice, with the loss of the LDP's backing, he was good as politically dead. But fear not, he'll retire on a big, fat government pension.

@Vernie Jefferies, good play on words.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Finally. My week started on a sour note, but definitely looking up after this news.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Okay ... Masuzoe is sayiing bye bye. That puts him out of the picture for now. Next, let's concentrate on who is next in line for this high-profile job. Saw on TV just an hour or so ago 10 possible "candidates" for the Tokyo governorship. My choice: none of them. Come on already ... no more TV talent, no more veteran politicians who know how to bend the system. And ... definitely ... no more Jiminto clowns. Jiminto wants to run the Tokyo government but its last three chosen ones have been disasters. The voters should shun Jiminto weirdos. And the voters should stay away from Komeito governor wanna-bes. Just hope the voters put a really honest, good, wise person in Tokyo's top post.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

CloudVJUN. 15, 2016 - 04:16PM JST I actually wouldn't worry about having to have another gubernatorial election at the time of the Tokyo Olympics. Given the current state of Japan politics and scandals, there isn't much doubt that the next governor will do something stupid and will be out of office well before the end of his term!

LOL, I was thinking the exact same thing.

Unfortunately, I think this is too little, too late. If he had stepped down the moment he was caught, he might have been able to retain a shred of dignity. Instead he tested the waters to see if it would blow over. No mercy.

Unfortunately the same thing needs to be said for the LDP, who waited to jump on the no confidence bandwagon until literally they had no other choice. If the opposition parties had a shred of savvy, they would use that to tie the LDP to Masazoe. So the LDP is probably safe...

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Good news to kick off but first he has to pay back all what he spent even if he becomes homeless under a bridge.

Unfortunately musical chairs wont stop. As Edojin, not anymore dinosaurs, tatento, jiminto clown and so on!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

But fear not, he'll retire on a big, fat government pension.

And you are sure of this how? Just because he was the gov of Tokyo, he may not have served enough time as an elected official, in all capacities, to qualify for the government pension. I believe it is necessary to be elected 6 or 7 times before one is eligible to received the pension as a politician.

He did not enter public office until after 2001 prior to that he ran his own think tank and was an associate prof at different universities here in Japan and in France.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

NO this is a escape route, he must be left in place but with no executive authority, In the meantime a judicial lead full public inquiry where all his expenses are subject to review.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

He'll land a cushy well paid job somewhere else...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

The amakudari brigade will be licking their lips with glee!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

One of the perks of being a LDP good ol' boy is that he won't face any repercussions for his malfeasance-- just look at Amari.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Take a look at his picture if you haven't already. The one for this article. He literally looks like a child that didn't get his way. It's really a barrel of laughs to see!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

On to the next misogynist scumbag. Who will it be?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It'll be some LDP oyaji.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Good news and good riddance.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yoichi Masuzoe, 67, informed the speaker of the Tokyo legislature of his intention to quit.....

Ok no £200 for passing go, but Masuzoe is about to use his get out of Jail free card, I am kicking the furniture, toys are off the table, seriously the charlatanic, feckless, fraudulentus is about to sliver away scott free.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

carpboy:

They likely want new elections as they want a governor who is actually elected to that position. To give an example from the states, Lyndon Johnson (first time) and Gerald Ford were never elected (the latter not even as a "deputy" as Nixon hired a new one).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well only a matter of time before yet another crooked lowdown dirty politician is elected or caught misusing funds and gets to retire with a pension and not have to suffer any true punishment like the rest of us commoners.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How long till he parachutes into his next cushy little sinecure..?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Day late and a dollar short.....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nice one!

Who's next?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

So does this mean that he gets to pay the money back Or not?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

He shouldn't have resigned. The bullying is unbearable. Good luck Mr Masuzoe. Hope you find first fruits somewhere else.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@Myhumbletake what are first fruits? He was a bully, one of those sick men who laughed at the female politicians during her speech last year. But Tokyo always seems to elect scummy old bullies.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And when will he appear in court to face charges of misappropriation of public funds?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The ONE thing he did right.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

From one strain of cancer to the next. There is little or no talk in the media of a criminal investigation into the apparent misappropriation of public funds. Why ever not? I propose that Masuzoe be stripped of every single Yen of his entire assets to pay towards the costs of any investigation and towards the billions of Yen it takes to hold an election in Tokyo. I want his punishment to set an example. This country is broken. We need to join together to end this situation once and for all.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think I'm going to start a new party and have ASIMO run as the party candidate. ASIMO will win and be the best Tokyo governor ever.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I hope the next Governor would be that Utsunomiya fellow. He seems like a sincere people guy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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