Governor Saito’s Arrogant Behavior and New Issues Exposed by Staff Survey

Governor Motohiko Saito (46) of Hyogo Prefecture is being driven into a critical situation. 

FRIDAY Digital has extensively reported on various allegations involving Governor Saito and his close associates in related articles such as “Internal Whistleblowing Causes Chaos… Hyogo Prefecture Government in ‘Unprecedented Turmoil’ Due to Spread of Documents Alleging ‘Requests’ and ‘Power Harassment’ by the Governor” and “[Shocking Testimony from a Prefectural Assembly Member] ‘The Governor Was a Puppet’—Severe Criticism Targets the ‘Suspicious Mastermind’ Behind Hyogo’s Governor Saito.” It has provided detailed reports on various allegations involving Governor Saito and his close associates. 

Starting today (August 23), the special investigative committee will conduct witness questioning of 10 individuals, including current and former employees, based on the allegations made in a document by a former senior staff member A (age 60) who chose to end their own life. As part of this process, details from survey responses of approximately 6,700 out of 9,700 prefectural employees are beginning to emerge. 

One of the committee members revealed:

“Approximately 95% of the responses are negative towards the governor. Of the 4,568 responses collected by August 5, 333 were signed by employees. Of these, 231 employees indicated that they would cooperate with the committee’s testimony and investigation, including appearing before the committee. Despite the option to remain anonymous, this significant number of employees have agreed to cooperate. The testimonies provided are also very detailed.”

Regarding the governor’s alleged power harassment, it has been revealed that 38.3% (1,750 people) answered that they “know about it or have heard about it from others.” According to the committee member, 59 employees have actually witnessed or experienced the harassment firsthand. Additionally, regarding the suspicion of receiving gifts from private companies, 20.7% (946 people) reported having “heard or seen” such instances. This indicates an abnormal situation where about 40% of employees recognize the governor’s power harassment.

 

Regarding the allegations of power harassment by Governor Saito, FRIDAY Digital’s investigation has revealed specific instances such as:

 

• Being forced to press the elevator button for 30 minutes.
• Being made to prepare a private waiting room without any explanation.
• Being required to have a full-length mirror in the waiting room.
• Being scolded if the media was not present at events.
• Having the seat kicked while in a car.
• Being hit with electronic devices.
• Being yelled at while having the desk pounded. 

 

An April survey conducted by Prefectural Assembly Member Maruo Maki revealed that, in addition to the power harassment detailed in A’s whistleblowing document, there are numerous other allegations of power harassment. 

 

The committee member adds:

 

“Particularly, there were many responses indicating that staff were scolded for not reserving a private room, had desks pounded, or were made to wait in elevators. These actions seem to be perceived by employees as unreasonable and driven by the governor’s mood, with unclear reasons behind them. Many responses suggest that management was aware of the governor’s temperament and instructed subordinates accordingly.”

 

On August 20, Governor Saito completely denied the power harassment allegations at a press conference, stating, “I am not aware of such perceptions.” He stated, “I will respond to the investigation by the special committee and move the prefectural administration forward,” repeating a line he has consistently used since the issues first emerged.

 

Naturally, the governor is facing a cold reception.

Prefectural Assembly Member Maruo Maki, who conducted a separate survey of employees prior to the current investigation, stated:

 

“From the survey results, I got the impression that power harassment might have been a routine occurrence. The fact that a significant number of employees have offered to cooperate with the committee, even with the possibility of being summoned as witnesses, reflects their sense of crisis, distrust of the governor, sympathy for the deceased A, and strong desire to improve the administration.” 

Some of the results from this survey are expected to become points of contention during the governor’s witness testimony scheduled for the 30th. In September, investigations will also continue regarding the allegations mentioned in the complaint, including gift items, victory parades, and allegations of whistleblowing. The committee member mentioned earlier reveals, “There are other significant issues that should also be pursued with the governor.”

“There are other serious issues that the governor should be held accountable for. For instance, the actions of the personnel authorities who seized A’s computer and pressured employees connected to A to show their smartphones should be scrutinized for their disregard for communication privacy. Employees who attended A’s farewell party reported being asked to disclose their personal smartphones by the personnel authorities, with some feeling compelled to comply. Such coercive and high-handed behavior, ignoring privacy protection, would understandably make employees feel that refusing cooperation could lead to personnel disadvantages. Who would want to work in such an environment?”

As new power harassment allegations continue to emerge against Governor Saito, he has been evasive in response to numerous questions about power harassment at press conferences. However, he cannot afford to be vague in the testimony starting August 30.

The significance of the employees’ detailed survey responses is therefore substantial.