Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe on Wednesday "submitted a letter of resignation to the Tokyo assembly speaker," after weeks of "mounting pressure over a political funds scandal that has tainted his office," according to Reiji Yoshida of the JAPAN TIMES. A gubernatorial election to replace Masuzoe "is likely to be held on July 31 or Aug. 7." The timing, though, "does not portend well for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as an election now means the following governor could assume office right in the middle of the event, which runs from July 24 through Aug. 9 of that year." The governor "was given a chance to deliver a last short speech to the assembly." Masuzoe: "What concerned me most was impacts on the Olympic and Paralympic events. I didn’t think it’s appropriate to hold an election ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games." Speaking without visible emotion, Masuzoe also said that he has “countless things to regret and search my soul over,” but was clear about the cause of his troubles. He said, “It’s all my lack of discretion" (JAPAN TIMES, 6/15).
ARTWORK AND HOLIDAYS: In London, Robin Harding reported Masuzoe "resigned after allegations he used political funds to pay for artworks and family holidays." Highlights of Masuzoe’s expenses included art bought on Internet auctions -- ¥71,400 ($672) for a lithograph by Maurice de Vlaminck and ¥84,000 ($792) for an etching by Giorgio de Chirico, among other artworks. Masuzoe "is the second governor to quit since Tokyo won the right to host the games." Although government officials insist Masuzoe’s departure "will not directly disrupt preparations for the Olympics, the repeated scandals are fuelling public disaffection" with the Tokyo Games (FINANCIAL TIMES, 6/15).
FURTHER DISAPPOINTMENT: KYODO reported Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda expressed disappointment that the 2020 Tokyo Games "lost the services" of Masuzoe. Takeda: "It's extremely regrettable that the governor is changing ahead of the (Rio de Janeiro) Olympics." Takeda "played down the impact." He said, "Our preparation so far has been rated highly by the International Olympic Committee. Whoever becomes the next governor, I believe we can move toward a successful Games going down this path" (KYODO, 6/15).
