Yuriko Koike giving a street speech during the gubernatorial election (Photo: Noriaki Umehara)
On July 22, “Yuriko Koike, the Governor” trended on X. It has been two weeks since the gubernatorial election, and while discussions about Shinji Ishimaru and Renho are predominant on the internet, Koike has attracted attention again due to a “bombshell accusation” made against her during the broadcast of “Soko made itte iinkai NP” (Yomiuri Television) on the previous day, July 21.
The speaker of this statement was Koike’s former aide and lawyer, Masaru Wakasa. Wakasa mentioned the possibility that Koike, who has succeeded in her third term in the gubernatorial election, might face guilty verdicts and disqualification.
“During the program, Wakasa addressed the allegations that 175 citizens of Tokyo submitted a complaint to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office against Koike for violating the Public Election Law (use of status as a public servant) in response to a request for her candidacy by mayors from 52 of Tokyo’s municipalities,” reported a weekly magazine journalist.
【Related Article: “Too Ridiculous a Response” Governor Koike, The Angry Citizens who have been “Ignored” on SNS after Winning 】
Wakasa, who has experience as the head of the Special Investigation Unit of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, explained that the likelihood of recognizing criminality in this suspicion is high, and he discussed the possibility of Koike’s guilt and her disqualification as governor” (same as above).
If this were to become reality, it would be the end for Koike. Just what is so malicious about this? I asked Wakasa, who said he could not fully express in the program, about the possibility of “Koike’s guilt and disqualification.”
“The issue of ‘use of status as a public servant’ is defined as ‘public servants in national and local governments cannot use their influence in their duties to engage in electoral activities that utilize their status.’
The request for her candidacy may indeed violate ‘use of status as a public servant.’ Koike has been accused of other things such as academic fraud, but among these, I believe this case has the highest likelihood of leading to punishment” (Wakasa, hereafter the same).
Upon reconsidering, the origin of the matter dates back to May 28. About 80% of the 62 municipal mayors in Tokyo sent a “request for candidacy document” to Governor Koike, expressing their hope that she would run for a third term.
On May 30, one of the signatories to the request for candidacy, Mayor Fuyuki Otsubo of Hino City, revealed that “there was an inquiry from Governor Koike’s side asking if they would support her.” In response, Governor Koike clarified at the regular press conference the following day, “I have not made such a request.”
“If Governor Koike involved herself in the request for candidacy while being assumed to be recommended and supported as a candidate, it would undeniably be a violation. Even if it were not direct involvement, any form of indirect assistance or allowing someone to request candidacy could be questioned under the Public Election Law.”
So why is it considered so “malicious”?
“Each municipal mayor has become a mayor by gaining support from their local voters. If local mayors support Governor Koike, it is highly likely that voters will lean toward supporting Koike as well.
This could significantly influence the voting. Moreover, the mayors involved in the request for candidacy from the 52 municipalities may also face charges. Considering the breadth and impact of the incident, it can be considered particularly malicious.”
Even if there are suspicions, it remains a separate issue whether the prosecutors will take action. Especially in light of the ruling party’s recent “politics and money” issues, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Unit still carries an image of political favoritism. However, this time, it seems the Special Investigation Unit is serious, as the case has a solid basis according to Wakasa.
“Whether the Special Investigation Unit seriously investigates the case or does it merely as a formality depends on whether the case has a solid basis. If the case is solid, the Special Investigation Unit will conduct a serious investigation.”
So why is the “basis” of this case solid?
“The difficulty of collecting evidence is low. Among the mayors involved, there are those who are ‘anti-Koike,’ and there may be individuals who did not want to actively support Koike but reluctantly added their names to the request document.
It will be easier to collect evidence from such individuals, so there is a high possibility of revealing the full picture of the case as the investigation continues. Moreover, there is evidence in the form of the request for candidacy document. It can be tracked to see who made this document on their computer and what the email exchanges were like at the time. By collecting such testimonies, considerable evidence should accumulate.”
“Additionally, the person who stands to gain the most from this situation is, of course, Governor Koike. Even without the request for candidacy document, she should have been able to win; however, she desired the justification that ‘everyone asked me to run,’ which took the form of the request document. The motivation is simple and easy to understand, making it easier to ascertain the facts.”
And it is also said that it will be easy to dismantle the suspect’s (defendant’s) excuse.
“Koike claims she was not involved in the creation of the request document, but it is practically impossible for her staff or people around her to draft the request document while ignoring her intentions. On the contrary, many mayors are involved in this document, so eliciting statements from these individuals would easily overturn Koike’s excuse.”
For these reasons, Wakasa states that there is a high possibility that Koike will be indicted, and if found guilty, she will inevitably lose her job.
“The crime of using status as a public servant carries heavy penalties, including imprisonment or suspension in some cases. For Koike, at the very least, she will likely face fines; however, when the judgment is finalized, she will lose her civil rights, which inevitably means she will be disqualified as governor.
If Koike herself contests the case all the way to the Supreme Court, it would take about four years until the judgment, during which time her term as governor should end, but the question remains whether public opinion would allow it.
Although not a violation of the Public Election Law, both Yoichi Masuzoe and Naoki Inose resigned as governors due to public criticism. It is also generally possible that Koike might choose to resign herself.”
Wakasa is, after all, a former aide who fought alongside Koike in her initial gubernatorial election. There is a reason that this aide, who was once Koike’s “hand”, is now accusing her.
“Eight years ago, Koike referred to the Tokyo branch of the Liberal Democratic Party as a ‘black box’ and pursued its closed structure and vested interests. I supported Koike because of this commitment.
However, the current Koike has transformed. She is working alongside the very LDP executives she once criticized. And this has led to accusations like this.”
“As a lawyer, I believe that if there is a crime, it should be properly punished. That is why I am accusing Koike.”
What will Koike say in response to Wakasa’s words?
( SmartFLASH )
