The vice governor of Hyogo Prefecture has said he will resign over the death of a prefectural official who drafted and distributed a document alleging harassment and other problems with Gov. Motohiko Saito.
Vice Governor Yasutaka Katayama submitted a letter of resignation on Friday and will step down at the end of the month. Since taking up his current post in 2021, Katayama has supported the 46-year-old governor.
“We must take seriously our responsibility for causing stagnation and confusion in the prefectural government,” Katayama said at a news conference Friday morning. “Someone in a special position (in the prefectural government) must take the blame.”
According to Katayama, he told Saito about his intention to step down on Thursday afternoon. He then asked Saito if the governor would be willing to step down with him, but Saito indicated that he wanted to complete his term.
“I express my sincere condolences to the people of the prefecture and the staff of the prefectural government for the situation so far,” Saito said at a news conference on Friday afternoon.
But he stressed: “I will do everything I can to implement the policy.”
