[Full Text] Ishin Lawmaker Acts on Behalf of a “Favorite High-End Restaurant”…! Exerts Pressure on Waterworks Bureau, Even Demands an Apology: “Construction Costs Are Paid for with Taxpayer Money”

Allegations of Water Theft at a Traditional Japanese Restaurant

The Japan Innovation Party is increasing its presence in political circles following reports that it has secured its first “cabinet-level cooperation” under the Sanae Takaichi administration. Meanwhile, earlier this year, six local council members were expelled for evading national health insurance premium payments, and in September, a former executive of the party’s Shizuoka Prefectural Chapter 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 matter as they occur’” (ibid.).

Internal Waterworks Bureau documents obtained by FRIDAY (third photo) 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. Because the owner is a childhood friend of comedian Koji Imada (60), the restaurant was once featured on a television program hosted by Imada.

“Tenhan is said to be a traditional restaurant frequented by lawmakers from the Japan Innovation Party. Faced with allegations of water theft, they likely turned to City Councilman Kaneko—whom they knew personally—for help,” (ibid.)

According to the aforementioned internal documents, Waterworks Bureau staff reported to City Councilmember Kaneko on a daily basis, and on June 13, ’24, Councilmember Kaneko reportedly demanded: “‘I still cannot shake my distrust regarding the Waterworks Bureau’s response [pointing out the allegations of water theft at Tenhan], and in order to proceed with future procedures, I would like an apology on that point.’”

In fact, Waterworks Bureau staff did apologize to the Amashige side. In June ’25, the Waterworks Bureau—that is, the City of Osaka—covered the costs, and the replacement work was carried out.

An Evasive Answer

Why did City Councilmember Kaneko, a third party, intervene in the negotiations between Amashige and the Waterworks Bureau? In response to an inquiry from FRIDAY, Councilmember Kaneko replied as follows.

“I had absolutely no involvement in the construction matter. I have never been consulted by Mr. Amashige regarding the construction, and this is the first I’ve heard of it through your inquiry.”

However, despite Councilman Kaneko’s outright denial, Amashige acknowledged the intervention, stating, “Since I was suspected of carrying out plumbing work to steal water, I visited Councilman Kaneko to explain the situation and asked him to conduct a thorough investigation.”

What on earth is going on here?

When questioned by the Osaka City Waterworks Bureau about the reasons for covering the construction costs and Councilman Kaneko’s intervention, they explained that the replacement work “was designated as a project to be carried out at the bureau’s expense for maintenance and management reasons.”

Regarding the Amashige case, they stated, “We received an inquiry from Councilman Kaneko,” yet for some reason, they consistently gave an incomprehensible response, saying, “As for the water supply pipe replacement work, there is no fact that we received any inquiries or intervention from third parties, including Councilman Kaneko.”

The following is the position of the “Osaka Ishin no Kai,” the political group to which Councilmember Kaneko belongs.

“We urge our council members to exercise caution in their words and actions to avoid any misunderstandings under any circumstances. We consistently provide guidance and reminders, repeatedly emphasizing the need for vigilance befitting public officials who represent the voters.”

The former employee mentioned earlier is outraged.

“I don’t know whether the allegations of water theft are true or not, but the water pipe replacement work should have been carried out at Tenhan’s expense. I’ve heard that after this intervention, the deputy director—who normally wouldn’t have handled the matter—took charge of it. I can only conclude that the Waterworks Bureau acted out of deference, feeling pressured by Councilman Kaneko’s intervention.

Even if Councilman Kaneko had no such intention, when a sitting city council member tells city employees, ‘Explain what’s going on’ or ‘Show consideration,’ they’re bound to feel pressured.”

Did City Councilmember Kaneko have any sense of what it means to hold public office?

From the October 2 & 9, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*