politics

Ishihara declines to attend hearing on Toyosu market

30 Comments

Former Tokyo Gov Shintaro Ishihara on Thursday reversed his position and said he would not attend a Tokyo Metropolitan Government hearing on the Toyosu market scandal.

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has said she may take disciplinary action against those involved in the relocation of the Tsukiji wholesale market to a site lacking a sufficient soil barrier to protect it from toxic contaminants. After finding out last month that a layer of clean soil beneath the main buildings of the new market is far thinner than recommended by experts due to the installation of underground concrete chambers, Koike set up a task force on the issue that failed to apportion blame in a report of its findings released last week.

She also said that she wanted to speak with Ishihara who was governor at the time the decision on the market relocation was made.

On Thursday, a representative from Ishihara's office released a statement to the media in which the former governor said he would be unable to attend the hearing because of his advanced age and health.

However, in his statement, Ishihara said he would do his best to answer any questions that were submitted to him in written form.

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30 Comments
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There was a TV programme on this a few days ago where they showed documents signed (well, inkan'd) by Ishihara approving the construction in the form actually effected, i.e. with the hollow concrete basements and without the layer of clean soil. So I not surprised he didn't feel like attending, if he has the choice not to.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Ishihara declines to attend hearing on Toyosu market

I'm absolutely gobsmaken and speechless.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Needs to make a showing if possible 4 sure.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Drag his blinking corrupt ass in!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Would Mr. Shintaro Ishihara please go to gate 17, this is a final boarding call for Flight JN 771 to Manila".

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Alright, write him that letter.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

MODS - the word "blink" is forbidden on this article?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Moderator: It is derogatory.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Of course he declined! When you give criminals the option of a hearing that could implicate them do you think they would actually show?

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Subpoena the SOB!!! The dash for the hospital is a dead giveaway!

9 ( +9 / -0 )

confiscate his passport(s)

6 ( +6 / -0 )

the former governor said he would be unable to attend the hearing because of his advanced age and health.

Age and health? Guilt and association would be more like it. His age and health have not stopped him participating in other political events of late. He's just s little scared rabbit hiding from his guilt.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

On Thursday, a representative from Ishihara’s office released a statement to the media in which the former governor said he would be unable to attend the hearing because of his advanced age and health.

Yes, excessive blinking can be detrimental to one's health.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

The Ishihara that can say NO! Just like his book. Awful man.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Maybe the 14 justices of the supreme court could impeach the Former Tokyo Gov Shintaro Ishihara?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Why is such a criminal as Ishihara free to make such a decision? He is responsible and so he should be subpoenaed and forcibly be made to attend any hearings. In 2008 as Tokyo governor his gross negligence and reckless actions wasted 100 billion Yen (over 1000 million US Dollars at the time) of our taxpayer money with his failed shinginko debt-ridden bank to bail out equally incompetent people. Why was he not held criminally accountable? At the very least he should have been bankrupted, stripped of all assets and been held financially accountable. If anyone knows of any civil proceedings against him which folks can join or if anyone is interested in starting one, please post details. I would be interested to join a class action lawsuit against him to ensure he is held accountable in a court of law. Japan is the only developed country in the world where there is Zero accountability for public officials and corrupt business leaders. Ishihara will die soon but it is not too late to make sure he does so in jail.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Koike sounds she works after 8:p.m. Not just straighten Olympic mess but fishin market mess.

Is wheeling chair or walker used in Japan? He can afford butt how is health care for older people in Japan?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

It's simply that he wants to discuss the issue and testify via written form instead of actually going here and there, because he is 84 years old, too old and cannot act as a responsible player.

Now, how about online video conference? He can stay at home where camera and mic is set up so that he can talk with Koike and other people at home? He can honestly say he doesn't remember what he doesn't. But video conference would save a lot of time I guess.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

@ii167: I think your idea will work. I think he is much older. Like 90 +

If auesrion become harsh, he might suffer stroke.

He probably hadseizure a few times in part ten years.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Koike had better be careful. She's going to make some very powerful enemies if she wants to expose the corruption of Japan Inc.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

he would be unable to attend the hearing because of his advanced age and health.

to answer any questions that were submitted to him in written form.

Lmao, what?!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I think he is over 90. years old. Health. He might be half senile. My guess is some. people took advantage of his Ishii no Kai movement and screwed up fish market plan. But telling Koike she have to be careful sound same as chimpira threat against regular people to stop honest action.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Go Koike-san go!!!!

Depose the racist SOB Ishihara!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ishihara was. too busy on Ishii no mai that he probably did not know what was going on Tokyo. Many people wanted to Ishihara for different reasons but Koike followed on investigation. I guess Koike is not biases.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If he did attend the hearing he would likely just sit there and throw abuse at everyone rather than answer any questions. At least if he gives written answers he will have to address the topic.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

According to politician Kōichi Hamada, Ishihara gave financial and political support to Aum Shinrikyo, a religious cult that was involved in several murders and assassination attempts during the early 1990s.[15] Immediately after the Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995, Ishihara dropped out of national politics, suddenly ending a 25-year career in the Diet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintaro_Ishihara

If this guy can give financial and political support to the japanese terrorists which launched an attack on HIS city, is it really so hard to believe that he was responsible for this mess?? this is small beans compared to what this scumbag has done before.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@educator:When. His romance novels hit in Japan, we. rushed to purchase. HIS YOUNGER BROYHER YUjIRO ISHI HARA became top idle movie star. So My age people thought Be is older than his younger brother. He has his son Nobuteru who was embarrassed on his father when father came to support.. he said his campaign stuffs were young so no one understood what his father was. saying. They were in different wards in Tokyo.

If he was born in 1932 then he is 04..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Probably ne needs a wheel chair to attend nothing. wrong with floor but older people often slips whiled walkmkking.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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