{
  "id": 10378115,
  "title": "Ex-Yokohama mayor to run for comeback after resigning over abuse of power",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/ex-yokohama-mayor-to-run-for-comeback-after-resigning-over-abuse-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T05:55:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260928/p2a/00m/0na/017000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Yokohama's former mayor, Takeharu Yamanaka, announced his intention to run for mayor again in the upcoming election on October 18, according to supporters gathered for a meeting on Monday. Yamanaka, 54, resigned earlier this month after admitting to bullying and verbally assaulting subordinates, as confirmed by a third-party investigation. The investigation revealed instances of Yamanaka using derogatory language, such as calling his subordinates \"human scum,\" and abusing his authority over personnel matters.\n\nDuring the meeting, Yamanaka expressed his remorse, stating, \"If I am forgiven, I want to fulfill the promises I made to the citizens.\" Some of Yamanaka's supporters, primarily from the local business community, left the group following his announcement of his resignation. However, members from port-related businesses, who had supported Yamanaka's decisions like withdrawing a bid for an integrated resort that included a casino, remained loyal to him.\n\nYamanaka, who served as Yokohama's mayor since 2021 and was re-elected for a second term in August 2025, became embroiled in controversy in January 2026 when a senior city official, who was then the head of the human resources department, accused him of verbal abuse in a press conference. As of now, five other candidates have also declared their intent to participate in the upcoming election.",
  "summary": "YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) -- Former Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka, who stepped down earlier this month after admitting he bullied and verbally assaulted sub",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Yokohama mayor Takeharu Yamanaka announces bid for comeback in upcoming election.",
    "Resigned over allegations of bullying and verbally assaulting subordinates.",
    "Supporters loyal despite resignation, citing loyalty to Yamanaka's decisions."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Yamanaka's bid for a comeback suggests that admitting to serious misconduct may not necessarily end a Japanese politician's career, at least not in the short term.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}