Ishin Lawmaker Pressured Water Authority on Behalf of a “Favorite High-End Restaurant”! Construction Costs Were Covered by “Taxpayer Money”

A Call from an Osaka City Council Member

With reports that the Takaichi Sanae administration has achieved its first-ever “cabinet-level cooperation,” The Japan Innovation Party is raising its profile in political circles. Meanwhile, since the start of this year, six local council members have been expelled for evading National Health Insurance premium payments, and in September, a former executive of the Shizuoka Prefectural Branch was arrested in Hyogo Prefecture on charges of committing a series of burglaries.Amid a series of scandals that have called into question the party’s qualifications as a ruling party, a new allegation involving a sitting council member has surfaced.

“Last June, the Osaka City Waterworks Bureau carried out work to replace water supply pipes at a traditional Japanese restaurant in the city.During discussions between the restaurant and the Waterworks Bureau regarding the work, Osaka City Councilmember Emi Kaneko (54), a member of the ‘Osaka Ishin no Kai,’ intervened—and for some reason, the Waterworks Bureau ended up paying for the work. I’ve heard that current employees are outraged,”

This was revealed by a former male employee of the Waterworks Bureau. He continued:

“It all started in May of ’24 when a water leak occurred at a traditional Japanese restaurant called ‘Tenhan.’Waterworks Bureau staff went to the scene to investigate. Upon confirming the water leak, they discovered that water was being used through a supply pipe that did not pass through the water meter. Suspicions arose that this might be ‘water theft,’ so they explained the situation to Tenhan and agreed to conduct a re-investigation at a later date.”

About a week later, on May 29, ’24, while Tenhan and the Waterworks Bureau were discussing the details and timing of the investigation, City Councilmember Kaneko suddenly appeared.

“City Councilmember Kaneko called the Waterworks Bureau official and demanded, ‘Please explain the situation regarding the Tenhan case.’ In response to this call, Waterworks Bureau officials visited Councilmember Kaneko’s office the following day, the 30th, and explained the sequence of events.Councilman Kaneko said, ‘I understand the situation. The other party has expressed dissatisfaction with the high-handed approach (by Water Bureau staff) that insinuates water theft. I hope you will exercise discretion during the investigation,’ and then instructed the staff, ‘Please keep me informed of any developments regarding this case as they occur’” (ibid.).

Internal documents from the Waterworks Bureau obtained by this magazine also record that City Councilmember Kaneko called the Waterworks Bureau on May 29, ’24, requesting an explanation of the situation.Tenhan is a long-established restaurant founded in ’48. Since the owner is a childhood friend of comedian Koji Imada (60), the restaurant has even been featured on a TV show hosted by Imada.

“Ten-shige is said to be a ryotei frequented by lawmakers from the Japan Innovation Party. Faced with allegations of water theft, they likely turned to City Council Member Kaneko—whom they knew personally—for help” (ibid.).

City Councilman Kaneko suddenly intervened in negotiations that should have been unrelated to him.

The “FRIDAY October 2 & 9 Combined Issue,” on sale September 18, and the paid edition “FRIDAY GOLD” feature details of how Water Bureau employees were reportedly submitting daily reports to City Council Member Kaneko, as well as the surprising responses from those involved regarding the allegations of intervention.

Click here to view the full details and multiple photos ↓

From the “FRIDAY” October 2 & 9, 2026 Combined Issue