The mayor of Yokohama has apologised for insulting colleagues after an official publicly accused him of making offensive remarks. At a news conference, the Japanese city's human resource chief, Jun Kubota, alleged that Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka had used terms such as 'idiot' and 'human scum' to disparage staff. It is highly unusual in Japan for a serving city official to openly accuse a sitting mayor and demand an apology.
Yamanaka initially denied the allegations but later admitted to some of them. 'I want to frankly apologise for placing a psychological burden on the personnel director,' he said. At a news conference on Thursday, Kubota accused Mayor Yamanaka of repeatedly making remarks toward officials - including himself - that could amount to workplace harassment.
The mayor was said to have referred to officials as 'useless', 'silly', and 'low-spec', as well as making comments about colleagues' appearance and likening them to animals. He is also accused of threatening Kubota, saying he would have to 'commit seppuku' - a Japanese ritual suicide - if he failed to secure an international conference bid.
Kubota demanded an apology from Yamanaka and called for an investigation. While Yamanaka initially published a statement on his personal website denying the claims, he later acknowledged using terms like 'idiot' and 'human scum' and apologised publicly. 'I am reflecting on this. I will be more careful with my words and behaviour,' Yamanaka stated. He noted that his comments were made during discussions over personnel evaluations, but denied other accusations regarding insults to his colleagues' appearances.
The mayor indicated a willingness for an investigation, saying that he would cooperate if one were to occur under the supervision of the deputy mayor. However, Kubota insisted that Yamanaka had made the comments he has not admitted to, stating, 'The mayor doesn't understand anything. I cannot accept that as an apology. I want him to change.'
Yamanaka initially denied the allegations but later admitted to some of them. 'I want to frankly apologise for placing a psychological burden on the personnel director,' he said. At a news conference on Thursday, Kubota accused Mayor Yamanaka of repeatedly making remarks toward officials - including himself - that could amount to workplace harassment.
The mayor was said to have referred to officials as 'useless', 'silly', and 'low-spec', as well as making comments about colleagues' appearance and likening them to animals. He is also accused of threatening Kubota, saying he would have to 'commit seppuku' - a Japanese ritual suicide - if he failed to secure an international conference bid.
Kubota demanded an apology from Yamanaka and called for an investigation. While Yamanaka initially published a statement on his personal website denying the claims, he later acknowledged using terms like 'idiot' and 'human scum' and apologised publicly. 'I am reflecting on this. I will be more careful with my words and behaviour,' Yamanaka stated. He noted that his comments were made during discussions over personnel evaluations, but denied other accusations regarding insults to his colleagues' appearances.
The mayor indicated a willingness for an investigation, saying that he would cooperate if one were to occur under the supervision of the deputy mayor. However, Kubota insisted that Yamanaka had made the comments he has not admitted to, stating, 'The mayor doesn't understand anything. I cannot accept that as an apology. I want him to change.'
