House of Councilors member Takeshi Hasegawa apologizes for his “intimidating behavior.

The “power harassment” of Takeshi Hasegawa, 53, a member of the House of Councilors of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has become an issue. On April 17, LDP House of Councilors Diet Policy Committee Chairman Junichi Ishii issued a stern warning to Hasegawa, who is a member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly.

Last year, the singer Ikuzo Kichi uploaded a video on YouTube in which he described the extremely arrogant attitude of a Diet member he encountered on an airplane. In response, he revealed in his video again on March 19 that he had received a letter from an anonymous CA who pointed out that ‘that Diet member might be Representative Hasegawa. In the letter, the CA complained about the “extremely coercive manner” of the Diet member Hasegawa, such as, “When I arrive late, he complains in a manner that makes me feel as if I am the devil’s head,” etc.” (National newspaper reporter).

Furthermore, on March 28, the electronic edition of the Shukan Bunshun (weekly newspaper) reported that there are daily lines of “HG mairi” (a cloak used to refer to Councilor Hasegawa) at his Tokyo office because of the importance Councilor Hasegawa places on face-to-face communication, and that he has repeatedly spoken in an intimidating manner to road and city officials. The Tokyo office was also reported to have a “HG (a cloaked term for Councilor Hasegawa) mairi” every day.

On April 5, Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki revealed that, as a result of interviews with some of his staff, several senior officials reported that they had felt intimidated by Councilor Hasegawa’s words, and that one staff member had made more than 20 trips to the Tokyo office of Councilor Hasegawa in FY2011. The “intimidating language and behavior” issue is a major concern for the Hasegawa council members.

This is not the first time that Councilor Hasegawa has been in the news for his “intimidating behavior,” however. In the March 20, 2008 issue of this magazine, we reported on his “intimate affair” at the COVID-19 crisis. The following is a recounting of the situation at that time.

Daily secret meetings with a real estate company office worker at a luxury condominium

The magazine confirmed the “intimate contact” of Takeshi Hasegawa, then 49, a member of the House of Councilors of the Liberal Democratic Party, on February 14, 2008, on Valentine’s Day. It was Valentine’s Day. It was around 9 p.m. when he appeared from a French restaurant in Yoyogi, Tokyo, accompanied by an oddly aged beauty who reminded us of actress Yuko Takeuchi. After exchanging glances in front of the restaurant, they started walking in different directions.

The woman took a cab to her home, which was not far from the restaurant, but she went out again on her bicycle, and after a five-minute ride, she headed for the high-class condominium where Councilor Hasegawa lived. It was 7:30 in the morning of the following day, the 15th, when the beautiful woman left the assemblyman.

This woman is an office worker for a real estate company. We heard that she met Councilor Hasegawa several years ago through their shared hobby of running. Last summer, he bought a condominium near Yoyogi, where she lives. They often have meals together.

After Valentine’s Day, Mr. Hasegawa met with the women on February 18, 20, and 25, 2008. After the women returned home after their meals, they would ride their bicycles to his apartment.

Mr. Hasegawa is a married man and a father of two children. He left his wife and children in Sapporo and met secretly with an office worker from a real estate company at a luxury condominium in Tokyo every day. And this at a time when his hometown, Hokkaido, is in the midst of a crisis due to a new type of coronavirus. In late February 2008, this magazine directly interviewed Senator Hasegawa.

–Mr. Hasegawa, what is your relationship with the woman you frequently meet with?

Yes, good evening!　We are friends.”

–You are not having an affair?

Yes.

–confirming that she stays at the councilman’s home.

“Umm, no, no, no!　We don’t have that kind of relationship.”

–He is staying over quite often.

‘Are you staying in my room?　Do you confirm that it is my room?　If you have proof that you have been in my room, I would like to see it.

–I’m not in your room?

Yes!　No, I haven’t!”

–Then, what is the reason for her frequent visits to the congressman’s apartment?

I do not know that!　Yes!”

–What does she call you?

‘Gaku-kun, Gaku-chan, and many others. She is a very trusted partner …… or rather a friend.

The excuse, “Did you check if it was my room? ” was too bitter when the “partner” or “friend” with whom she has been sharing meals every day visited her apartment.

On April 12, in the Diet, Mr. Hasegawa apologized for the intimidation of the staff members by his words and actions, and said he would change his attitude in the future. On the other hand, when asked if he was thinking of resigning from the Diet, he stated that he would continue to work for the community with all his strength and that he would not resign as a Diet member.