Yokohama faces $9.8 mil. election bill after mayor resigns over harassment
YOKOHAMA -- Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka resigned after the municipal assembly unanimously approved the move at a plenary meeting on Sept. 7. The
Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka resigned on September 7 after the municipal assembly unanimously approved his resignation following allegations of power harassment. The move resulted in an election costing taxpayers over 1.5 billion yen ($9.8 million). Yamanaka, 53, was accused of power harassment by a report released on July 30, which detailed seven cases.
The harassment reportedly led to psychological harm for city employees, suppression of questions in the municipal assembly, and emotional distress, including one city employee in tears expressing humiliation. Yamanaka apologized, stating he was not receiving his 9.3 million yen severance pay and regretting the use of public funds.
A third-party investigation found Yamanaka's words and actions in the seven cases constituted power harassment. The assembly member belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party also reported being barred from entering Yamanaka's office and asked to withdraw questions. Yamanaka's absence from events was believed to be due to the harassment allegations.
Kubota, who exposed the harassment, criticized the lack of progress in victims' recovery and expressed hope for a rebuilt governance system with the new mayor.
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