Mr. Gaku Hasegawa’s power harassment incident that cannot be dismissed as “an act of immorality” Is it rare for a member of the Diet to become a local government employee? : Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

Hokkaido is in turmoil due to a power harassment scandal involving a member of the Hokkaido Diet. The epicenter was Gaku Hasegawa (53), a member of the Liberal Democratic Party’s House of Councilors. He is reported to have behaved in an intimidating manner towards several local government employees, including Hokkaido government officials. As ordinances to prevent harassment of local assembly members are being enacted in various places, is there a way to prevent or punish such members of the Diet who go too far? (Joe Miyahata)

◆Explanation: “The method of expression is not in keeping with the times.”

“This is the result of immorality. I am acutely aware that my method of expression is not in keeping with the times. From now on, I will change my method of expression to one that is more in line with the times.”

In response to reports that he had acted in a coercive manner and suspected power harassment, Mr. Hasegawa provided this explanation on his blog.

Hasegawa, who was first elected in the 2010 Hokkaido House of Councilors election, is currently in his third term. He served as Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. He is also known for planning the “YOSAKOI Soran Festival” while he was a student at Hokkaido University.

◆Goed to Tokyo for interview, cost 20 million yen

There have been instances in which officials from the Hokkaido Prefectural Government Office and Obihiro City have been reprimanded and perceived as having acted in an intimidating manner. Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto complained, saying, “He speaks in a very harsh tone.”

That is not all. Last fiscal year, the Sapporo City government made a total of 284 business trips to Tokyo, including the mayor and deputy mayor, to meet with Hasegawa. The expenses amounted to approximately 20 million yen, of which 72 were for the sole purpose of interviews. Some employees worked more than 100 hours of overtime a month due to their interactions with him.

At the Hokkaido Prefectural Government Office, several employees traveled for interviews and other purposes more than 20 times last fiscal year. Furthermore, starting in November last year, senior provincial government officials sent thank-you emails at times such as when supplementary budgets were passed in the Diet, and confirmed and shared who sent them. No other members of Congress were treated in the same way.

◆“Local reputation will deteriorate and this will affect elections”

“This is the Special Report Department” tried to ask Mr. Hasegawa’s opinion again by calling the Diet office several times, but was unable to get through. Even after sending a fax, there was no response by the deadline.

The issue surrounding Mr. Hasegawa caused widespread surprise and anger. Is it common for members of the Diet to act in an intimidating manner or make unreasonable demands towards local government officials?

Masashi Nakano, a professor of public administration at Kobe Gakuin University who has experience working in local governments, said, “Normally, members of the Diet and local governments work together to make petitions to central ministries and agencies.If a local’s reputation deteriorates, it will affect elections. This is an unthinkable case.”

On the other hand, the possibility that members of the Diet may harass local government employees is an “overlooked perspective”.

“I feel like this is the result of a trend that says, “It’s okay to bash public officials,” which has gone too far. Hidden facts may come to light or things may change when politicians pursue public servants. Yes, but there should be some kind of regulation regardless of the authority.”

Lawyer Naoto Sasayama, who is well versed in harassment, says this not only as an issue for members of Congress but also for the current state of society.

◆“Human relationship building has deteriorated”

“Traditionally, severe harassment could lead to civil or criminal lawsuits. Not only has this already been brought to the surface, but I feel that the ability to build human relationships based on mutual consideration has deteriorated.”

Many local governments have established ordinances to prevent harassment of local assembly members. So how should we deal with similar issues that arise between members of the Diet and local government officials?

Lawyer Sasayama explained, “Even if you don’t necessarily have a direct command-and-order relationship, if you have the opportunity to contact someone and take advantage of a superior relationship, that doesn’t constitute a factor denying harassment.” We need to have a more concrete discussion,” he said.