Former Hyogo Prefecture Official Referred to Prosecutors Over Information Leak Scandal Implicating Governor

On the 13th, the Hyogo Prefectural Police Second Investigation Division referred Inomoto Tomoaki, the former Director-General of General Affairs for Hyogo Prefecture, to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Local Public Service Act (confidentiality obligation). This issue concerns the alleged leak of private information belonging to a former prefectural bureau chief who had accused Governor Motohiko Saito, causing a significant stir within the prefectural government.

Inomoto is suspected of leaking the former prefectural bureau chief's private information and audio data to multiple prefectural assembly members. A report published by the prefecture's third-party committee last May concluded that Inomoto leaked information to three prefectural assembly members. Furthermore, the report pointed out that “it is highly probable that this was done for the purpose of 'nemawashi' (informal groundwork) toward the prefectural assembly, under the instructions of Governor Motohiko Saito and former Deputy Governor Yasutaka Katayama.”

Following this referral to prosecutors, the Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office will now carefully decide whether to pursue criminal charges against Inomoto. The prefecture had previously imposed a three-month suspension as a disciplinary measure on Inomoto but had refrained from filing a criminal complaint, stating that he had already faced social sanctions. However, Prefectural Assembly Member Takeshi Nagase had filed a complaint with the prefectural police on suspicion of violating the Local Public Service Act, which led to the progression of the investigation.

In response to this news, comments on social media include “Finally, something is moving,” “Hoping for a full investigation,” and “Entering the stage of justice,” with many demanding a thorough investigation and clarification of the truth. Some have also mentioned Governor Saito's involvement, drawing attention to future developments.

The Context

This article details a significant political scandal in Hyogo Prefecture, a major administrative division in Japan. At its core is an alleged information leak involving private data and audio recordings belonging to a former senior prefectural official. This official had previously accused the current Governor, Motohiko Saito, of misconduct, making the leak potentially an act of retaliation or an attempt to discredit the accuser.

The suspect, Inomoto Tomoaki, held a high-ranking position as Director-General of General Affairs, making the alleged breach of the Local Public Service Act (which includes strict confidentiality obligations for public servants) a serious offense. The term “nemawashi” is crucial here; it refers to an informal process of laying the groundwork, building consensus, or discreetly lobbying before formal decisions or discussions. In this context, the leak is suspected to have been a form of