Governor Saito Appears on TV After No-Confidence Vote Amid Challenges in Commentator Career Shift

Governor Saito, who faced internal allegations of power harassment and “requesting favors,” appeared on several television programs, primarily in the Kansai region.

On the evening of September 20, a recorded solo interview aired on “Yonchan TV” (MBS), followed by a live appearance on “Kansai Netsushisen” (NHK) that night.

However, despite his numerous appearances on commercial broadcasts and live shows, Governor Saito’s statements remained unchanged from those made during daily press conferences at the prefectural office.

 

“Is this person a cult member?”

After the no-confidence motion against Saito was unanimously passed on the 19th, he faces pressure to decide between resignation or dissolving the assembly.

“I will think carefully.” 

“I will fulfill my four-year term properly.”

He simply responded without expression.

On “Yonchan TV,” MBS announcer Yohei Okikichi conducted the interview, but after the broadcast, studio commentator and former TBS reporter Kazuaki Takeda expressed his disbelief, saying,

“I’ll be blunt: ‘Is this person a cult member?’ In other words, he keeps repeating the same things. What we really want to know is, ‘What will he do about his future?’ and ‘Will he dissolve the assembly?’ He doesn’t answer those questions at all. He has no political sense.”

He declared this.

However, on the other hand, it is also true that voices of support on social media are growing, calling for the media not to bully Governor Saito!

Regarding “Yonchan TV,” there have been responses such as,

“That’s too rude,”

“It’s media lynching,”

“Announcer Daikichi interrupted the discussion!”

These voices of opposition have emerged.

“Actually, there are supporters coming to the prefectural office, sending love calls like, ‘Don’t give up!’ and ‘Please don’t quit!’ To maintain fairness, we also broadcast these scenes, and on X, the hashtag ‘#Ganbare Saito Chiji’ is trending.

However, in street interviews, over 90% of people say, ‘You should resign immediately.’ The prefectural office has received over 5,600 complaint calls, and since the relevant department can’t keep up, staff from other departments are helping with the phone responses. It is often said that the administration can’t move forward as long as Governor Saito doesn’t resign, and practically, staff are unable to do their own work because they are focused on handling complaints,” said a source from an Osaka television station.

 

That power harassment politician is now on TV with a “Buddha-like” demeanor.

Governor Saito began appearing on television as soon as the no-confidence motion was passed. There is speculation that if he loses his position, he might become a commentator on variety shows. Indeed,

“Is this bald guy!! That’s not right!!”

Former House of Representatives member Mayuko Toyoda, known for her power harassment, now appears on information programs with a “Buddha-like” demeanor.

Could there be programs considering Saito for a role as a commentator, given his high profile? We asked a source within the variety show industry about the possibility.

“This is different from previous scandal-ridden politicians. There have been two suicides. Moreover, one reportedly ignored whistleblower protections and ordered a former vice governor to investigate the perpetrators. Recordings of those intimidating exchanges were released at the hundred-member committee. Additionally, a former prefectural bureau chief left a suicide note saying he would ‘protest with his death’ after attempting to expose extremely private information found on his computer.

The other was a staff member responsible for inappropriate financial dealings during the Hanshin and Orix championship parade, who also took his own life. If Governor Saito had responded appropriately, both could have potentially been saved. If any program were to bring him on as a commentator, I believe a significant number of complaints would flood in, and sponsors might pull out. We must not confuse interviews aimed at uncovering the truth with paying someone to come in as a commentator.”

That said, there are programs that appoint controversial figures as commentators, despite public skepticism. However, the path for Governor Saito to become a “hot” commentator seems to be fraught with challenges.