Japan Press Weekly

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2012 November 28 - December 4 [ELECTION]

Osaka mayor absorbed in general election campaign

Many citizens are criticizing Osaka City Mayor Hashimoto Toru, who is also the acting leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), for touring day after day throughout the country to gain his party’s advance in the general election.

“No official duty” is posted almost every day in the mayor’s schedule page on the Osaka City website. During the 12-day period since November 17, the day after the Lower House dissolution, Hashimoto went to his office on only “one day” to attend a plenary session of the city assembly.

The city government has received a lot of public criticism such as, “I disagree with the idea that a mayor takes part in a national election campaign even on weekdays,” or “He should devote himself to his duties as mayor.”

Hashimoto ignores such criticism, saying that he directs officials by e-mail. On Twitter, he wrote, “It is normal for a person who was elected as a municipal leader to be involved in political activities.”

Unlike other public employees, a mayor is free from obligations to concentrate on public duties and work fixed working hours. However, it is a problem if local government heads devote themselves to national election campaigns for a long time while neglecting their duties. After all, they are paid as public servants at taxpayers’ expense.

Hashimoto plans to close down a city hospital and a municipal bus line. When concerned local residents requested the mayor to discuss the issue with them, he refused on the grounds of “having no time”.

Takeuchi Tomoko, a civil group leader opposing the planned closure of the city hospital, said, “If the mayor has plenty of time to spend on activities to prepare for the general election, he should explain city policies to local residents as well as listen seriously to our concerns.”