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4 clusters · 12 sources · 9 days · First seen · Last updated

Akita official misconduct controversy

Overview

Takahiro Ono, a 55-year-old supervisor in Akita Prefecture’s Department of Industry and Labor, drew public criticism after appearing in a bathrobe and smoking during an emergency online press conference on August 6. The briefing concerned a massive AI data center project in Akita City, estimated to be worth 2 trillion yen with potential investment from the UAE.

Following the incident, the Akita Prefecture government launched a re-investigation into the official’s conduct. While Ono initially claimed he was at home resting due to poor health and that the person with him was his wife, subsequent investigations revealed he was actually staying at a love hotel with an acquaintance who is not his wife. Ono reportedly admitted to officials that he lied because the nature of the location was “difficult to talk about” and he believed the falsehood would not be discovered. Additionally, it was discovered that Ono had not applied for leave prior to the briefing, only submitting a retroactive request the following day.

As a result of the misconduct and his subsequent false statements, which the prefecture characterized as a “serious loss of public trust,” Akita Prefecture has issued Ono a six-month suspension and a two-rank demotion. The prefecture received 145 citizen complaints regarding the incident. Akita Governor Kenta Suzuki issued an apology to the public, emphasizing the need for improved staff morale and conduct. Ono has been removed from his duties related to the AI data center project, though the prefecture stated the investment promotion team will continue its work. Takahashi Gen'etsu, the Director of the Industrial Labor Department, also issued a formal apology to citizens and the media for the embarrassment and inconvenience caused.

Entities

Akita Prefecture · Takahiro Ono · Akita Prefecture Industrial and Labor Department · Ono Takahiro · Kenta Suzuki

Timeline

  1. 7 days ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Akita Prefecture official disciplined for misconduct during remote press conference

    An Akita Prefecture official has been suspended for six months and demoted after appearing in a bathrobe and smoking during a remote press conference at a love hotel while providing false explanations.

  2. 9 days ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Akita Prefecture official suspended for misconduct during online briefing

    An Akita Prefecture official has been suspended for six months and demoted after appearing in a bathrobe and smoking during an online briefing, then lying about being at a love hotel with an acquaintance.

  3. 13 days ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Akita Prefecture official under investigation for misconduct during online briefing

    Akita Prefecture is re-investigating an official who appeared in a bathrobe and smoked during an online press conference about a major AI data center project.

  4. 16 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Akita official faces backlash over bathrobe appearance during AI project briefing

    An Akita Prefecture official faced backlash after appearing in a bathrobe and smoking during an online press conference regarding a 2 trillion yen AI data center project.

Sources

agora-web.jp · biz.heraldcorp.com · blogdoperrone.blogosfera.uol.com.br · coki.jp · dongeradeel.nl · fnn-news.com · jisin.jp · m.imaeil.com · nextapple.com.sg · saintmichaels.org.uk · shimotsuke.co.jp · tokyo-sports.co.jp

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history