OSAKA (TR) – The mayor of Kishiwada City on Tuesday dissolved the city council days after it raised a no-confidence motion against him over a relationship with a woman who is not his wife.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Kohei Nagano, 46, objected to the no-confidence motion, saying that he has fulfilled his responsibility to explain.
“The reason for the no-confidence motion is accountability,” Nagano said. “But I believe I have fulfilled my responsibility.”
Nagano notified the council chairman, Karasuno Takao, of the dissolution on Tuesday morning. Karasuno told the Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 25), “The mayor is the source of this problem. The council members are not at fault, and the mayor has no just cause. Dissolution is unforgivable.”
A city council election will now be held early next year.
“Motion of no confidence”
A woman had filed a lawsuit against Nagano, claiming that she had been forced into committing sex acts with him. However, in November, a settlement was reached, with the woman receiving 5 million yen in compensation.
On December 6, Nagano admitted that he had been in an affair with the woman, but denied the sexual assault allegations and indicated his intention to continue as mayor.
However, there were many calls from city council members for his resignation. On December 20, the closing day of the city council, a “motion of no confidence” against Nagano was voted on. It was passed by a majority vote.
“He’s still an important member of the family”
An hour after the press conference began, Nagano’s wife appeared. “He’s still an important member of the family,” she said.
Nagano said, “She hasn’t forgiven me. I don’t think she has forgiven me.”
Citizens were less forgiving. “It’s stupid to just dissolve the city council and drag your wife along and say ‘I’ll stay,'” one said. Another said, “Rather than dissolving it, I think he should have resigned.”
A city council election is now scheduled to be held on February 2, 2025. The cost is expected to be over 70 million yen. If a mayoral election follows, an additional 40 million yen will be required.
“It’s an expense for democracy, so in a sense I think it can’t be helped,” Nagano said, “but I’m working hard on reforms right now. It’s a shame that we have to hold an election at a time like this. I want to be re-elected and earn more than 100 million yen, so I want to impose that on myself.”
