Luxurious Governor

He spends Friday afternoon in his private villa, reserves suite room of hotels in United States, and charges the government for his family trip. Unbelievable behaviors of Governor of Tokyo, Yoichi Masuzoe, have been going public one after another. Although Masuzoe explained that his way of working must be reasonable, his behavior was far different from common sense of Japanese people. Masuzoe refuses stepping down so far.

It was Weekly Bunshun magazine that revealed hidden life of Masuzoe. Bunshun witnessed Masuzoe leaving his Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office around 2:30 p.m. of Friday April 22^nd and arrived his villa in Yugawara, known as an old spa resort 100 kilometers far from Tokyo, around 6 p.m. “Why Mr. Masuzoe had to go to his villa on 2:30 p.m. of Friday, using the official vehicle?” questioned Bunshun. The magazine quoted a comment of an anonymous official of Tokyo government that argued problem of Masuzoe’s trip from the viewpoint of possible crisis management.

Masuzoe had a trip to New York and Washington, D.C. in the previous week. While internal rule of the office determined the accommodation fee for Governor’s stay in those two cities as ¥40,200, Masuzoe spent about ¥150,000 for each night, according to Bunshun. He explained that he needed suite room for a possible occasion of meeting important person. But, no unscheduled meeting was set during his visit.

Bunshun revealed another scandal in the next issue. In January 2013, when he was a member of House of Councillors, Masuzoe spent ¥237,755 for his family stay in a spa hotel in Chiba. He filed the spending as political money for a meeting. A meeting that cost ¥237,755 must be made with 480 participants, Bunshun calculated. No such meeting was held. Masuzoe also filed about ¥130,000 next January. He made two-night stay in 2013 and one night next year.

In his press conference on Friday, Masuzoe admitted that he partly spent political money for his private purpose. “I had meetings with my staffs in the hotel during my trip. Because I used a room for my family stay that caused misunderstanding, I will return the money,” told and apologized Masuzoe. It is still questionable why he had to have a meeting during his private trip. If it was because he had been too busy, cancel the family trip, please.

What we can realize is that Masuzoe keeps on escaping his office. Luxurious time in his villa or family trip may make him feeling normal. But, top leader often needs to have his staffs close. That is why Japanese Prime Minister or United States President has his official residence. If Masuzoe cannot stay his office for so long, he is not suitable for his job.