Key Facts
• June: Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama faced allegations of document tampering.
• June 18: City council passed a no-confidence motion against Mayor Nakayama.
• June 19: Nakayama stated he would not dissolve the council, hinting at resignation.
• Issue: Altered dates in National Health Insurance budget documents to meet deadlines.
• Actual approval date: June 9, falsely recorded as May 30.
• First no-confidence motion passed in Okinawa since 2007.
• Deadline: Nakayama must decide by June 28 to dissolve the council or resign.
• If resigned, a mayoral election must occur within 50 days.
• Ruling party supports Nakayama’s potential re-election bid.
• Opposition warns against supporting a no-confidence target in future elections.
• Nakayama apologized to the council and citizens for the confusion caused.
Summary
Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama faces political turmoil after a no-confidence motion passed due to allegations of document tampering in National Health Insurance budget records. Nakayama, who must decide by June 28 whether to dissolve the council or resign, has indicated he will not dissolve the council, suggesting resignation instead. This marks the first no-confidence motion passed in Okinawa since 2007. If Nakayama resigns, a mayoral election will be held within 50 days. While the ruling party considers supporting Nakayama’s re-election, opposition parties caution against backing a candidate previously subjected to a no-confidence vote. Nakayama has publicly apologized for the confusion caused by the issue.
