Politics Shizuoka governor to resign after blunder

[thomas]

The Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture, Heita Kawakatsu, known for his stern resistance to the new Maglev train, has announced his intention to resign following a controversial gaffe. During a 20-minute address to new employees yesterday, he stated that the civil servants being inducted into the prefectural government were intelligent people, unlike "those who work in professions such as selling vegetables, taking care of cows, or creating things" (野菜を売ったり、牛を世話したりとは違う).

Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture, Kawakatsu Heita​

He also told the incoming civil servants to remain honest, watch their language, and that it was "important to be compassionate and stick to your beliefs." Kawakatsu has earned a reputation for gaffes since he first became governor in 2009. In 2021, the assembly advised him to resign after he said the central Japan prefecture's city of Gotemba "only has koshihikari," or a type of rice, as its local speciality. Last month, He was criticized for ranking regions within his prefecture based on how "cultured" they are.

Shizuoka governor to resign after gaffe insulting vegetable sellers

The governor of Shizuoka Prefecture said Tuesday he will resign amid backlash over a gaffe saying civil servants being inducted into the prefectural government were intelligent people, "unlike those who sell vegetables."

english.kyodonews.net

JR Central will be pleased:

A stalled maglev train project connecting Tokyo and Nagoya might regain momentum after Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu, one of its most prominent opponents, announced plans to step down. Central Japan Railway, or JR Central, started constructing the high-speed magnetic-levitation line in 2014, with plans to begin service in 2027. However, work for the section passing through Shizuoka prefecture has never started due to disagreements between Kawakatsu and the project's proponents.

Paywall alert:

Japan maglev back in spotlight as critic leaves governor's office

Departure by gaffe-prone Heita Kawakatsu could open door to progress

asia.nikkei.com

Chuo Shinkansen project stalled over environmental impact

Japan's maglev project, supposed to be a milestone in passenger transport by connecting Tokyo and Nagoya in just 40 minutes, has faced several backlashes. Construction on the approximately 300-kilometre-long stretch, 90 per cent of which are tunnels, is progressing only slowly while costs...

jref.com

 

[Lothor]

This story doesn't seem to quite add up - the timing of the resignation is very convenient for Japan Inc., and people in power don't normally resign after making a gaffe in Japan. I'm sure there is more to this than meets the eye.

 

[nice gaijin]

What a strange unforced error, it's not that hard to avoid insulting your constituency

 

[mdchachi]

What a strange unforced error, it's not that hard to avoid insulting your constituency

He probably did it all the time. This may be the first time it blew up in his face.