Complaint alleges Governor Motohiko Saito and top officials violated confidentiality laws after whistleblower’s private details were shared.
A criminal complaint has been filed against Hyogo Prefecture Governor Motohiko Saito, former Vice Governor Yasutaka Katayama, and former General Affairs Department head Chiaki Inomoto. The complaint alleges the trio were involved in the unauthorized leak of sensitive personal information related to a whistleblower within the prefectural government.
The complaint, submitted by Kobe Gakuin University professor Hiroshi Kamiwaki, accuses the officials of violating confidentiality duties under Japan’s Local Public Service Law.
The whistleblower, a former senior official in the Hyogo government, had previously accused Governor Saito of harassment in an internal document. Tragically, the whistleblower died by apparent suicide in July 2024. According to the complaint, Inomoto showed private information about the whistleblower to three assembly members in April 2024, with Saito allegedly giving the instruction and Katayama approving it.
Kamiwaki called it “an organized crime” during a press conference, urging authorities to investigate thoroughly and ensure accountability.
A third-party committee report released on May 27 confirmed that Inomoto likely leaked the information under Saito and Katayama’s direction. The committee also noted that the leak might have been intended to discredit the whistleblower and weaken the harassment claims.
Governor Saito, however, denies the allegations, insisting he never ordered the leak. He also said the prefecture does not intend to pursue criminal action.
This is not the only case Saito is involved in. A separate criminal complaint accuses him of illegally using public relations services for campaign activities during the Hyogo gubernatorial election in November. Police have already conducted raids on locations linked to the PR company.
FAQs
Q1: What law is at the center of this complaint?
A: The officials are accused of violating the Local Public Service Law, which prohibits government personnel from disclosing private information obtained through official duties.
Q2: What was the motive behind the leak, according to the committee?
A: The third-party investigation suggested the leak may have aimed to discredit the whistleblower, thereby weakening the credibility of their harassment allegations against Governor Saito.
Source:https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/10/japan/politics/hyogo-governor-criminal-complaint/
