AKITA (TR) – The Akita Prefectural Government on Friday announced the 6-month suspension and demotion of a 55-year-old official suspended after he attended an online press conference from a love hotel alongside his mistress, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Aug. 14).
The incident occurred on the afternoon of August 6 during a media briefing regarding the prefecture’s bid to attract a massive 2-trillion-yen AI data center. The official, a section chief in the Department of Industry and Labor who served as the project’s key coordinator, participated remotely.
Initially, the man kept his camera turned off, claiming he was “taking the day off at home” and wearing “relaxing clothes.” However, when a colleague prompted him to turn his video on, the screen revealed the 55-year-old in a white bathrobe, smoking a cigarette after speaking. Another individual, also clad in a bathrobe, was clearly visible sitting next to him.
Distinct wallpaper
Eagle-eyed viewers quickly noticed the room’s distinct, old-fashioned arabesque wallpaper — a style rarely seen in standard private residences. After footage of the briefing was broadcast on television news, social media erupted with speculation that the official was actually broadcasting from a love hotel.
Though the man initially lied to his superiors, insisting he was “at home with his wife,” an internal investigation forced him to come clean. He eventually admitted that the location was indeed a love hotel and the woman beside him was his extramarital affair partner.
Investigations revealed the official had returned to Akita that morning following a business trip to Tokyo, but bypassed the prefectural office to go straight to the hotel.
Complaints from citizens
Following the public embarrassment, the prefecture was flooded with 145 complaints and inquiries from citizens.
On Friday, the prefectural government demoted the man two ranks and handed him a six-month suspension. Genetsu Takahashi, head of the Department of Industry and Labor, also received a strict reprimand for failing to supervise his subordinate.
Akita Governor Kenta Suzuki issued a public apology over the scandal. “This highly inappropriate conduct by a senior official shows a complete lack of time management and ethics expected of a public servant. I deeply apologize for causing such great discomfort to the citizens of our prefecture,” Suzuki said.
