Hyogo Gov., ex-deputy likely directed whistleblower's personal info be leaked: panel

The Mainichi

27-05-2025

KOBE -- Officials including Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito highly likely ordered a leak of personal information on a whistleblower who accused him of power harassment, a third-party committee concluded May 27.
The Hyogo Prefectural Government's third-party panel the same day released the results of an investigation which found that Chiaki Inomoto, former head of the prefectural government's general affairs department, leaked information on the late former director of the Hyogo Prefectural Government's Nishiharima District Administration Office, who accused Saito of misconduct, to three prefectural assembly members. It concluded, "There is a high possibility that the leak was directed by the governor and former Deputy Gov. Yasutaka Katayama."
Inomoto was punished with a three-month suspension as of May 27 for disclosing confidential information obtained through his official duties.
That same day, Saito offered a renewed apology over the leak, and stated "I feel responsible as the head of the organization. I will now consider specific disciplinary measures against myself, including the possibility of a pay cut." Regarding the third-party committee's conclusion that he was likely involved in directing the leak, he stated, "My understanding remains unchanged that I did not instruct the leak."
According to the committee's report, it was discovered in March 2024 that the former bureau chief's private information was saved on his work computer. Inomoto was appointed general affairs department chief that April and was handed the printed-out file of the bureau chief's personal information.
From mid-April, Inomoto visited the prefectural assembly waiting rooms and other locations where he leaked the bureau chief's information by showing the three assembly members a printed document and telling them about it directly.
Inomoto had initially denied any involvement in the leak, but later submitted a written statement saying that his action of leaking the information was directed by his boss. He explained that when he told Saito about the existence of such information, the latter said something to the effect of "Why don't you share with assembly members that you have that kind of document?"
A then senior prefectural official who was present at Inomoto and Saito's meeting gave a similar account to the former general affairs department chief. In addition, Katayama testified that he told Inomoto to arrange things accordingly after his subordinate told him that the governor had given such instructions. Based on these statements, the third-party committee concluded that it was highly likely the governor and deputy instructed the leak.
After the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported in July 2024 that Inomoto was circulating the former bureau chief's personal information to prefectural assembly members and others, the prefectural government established a third-party committee consisting of three lawyers in October 2024 to investigate the matter.
Japanese original by Akira Inoh, Mami Yamada and Toru Kurita, Kobe Bureau)