Hyogo Governor to Run in Fresh Gubernatorial Election

Kobe, Sept. 26 (Jiji Press)--Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito plans to call a fresh gubernatorial election and run in the poll after the prefectural assembly in western Japan passed a no-confidence motion against him, people familiar with the matter said Thursday.

The Hyogo prefectural assembly on Sept. 19 unanimously passed the no-confidence motion against Saito over allegations about his power harassment and other controversial behavior.

Saito will hold a press conference later on Thursday.

Under Japan’s local autonomy law, a prefectural governor slapped with a no-confidence motion automatically loses his or her position, unless he or she dissolves the assembly within 10 days.

Facing a deadline of Sunday, Saito opted to lose his job automatically so that he could run in a fresh election, the people familiar with the matter said.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]