Key Facts
• July 13, 2025: Sanseitō leader Sohei Kamiya criticized Miyagi’s water privatization in a speech.
• July 16, 2025: Governor Yoshihiro Murai held a press conference to refute the claims.
• Kamiya alleged Miyagi sold water services to foreign companies, calling it “problematic.”
• Murai denied the claims, stating no sale to foreign or domestic companies occurred.
• Miyagi privatized water operations three years ago to reduce costs using private expertise.
• Ownership and ultimate responsibility remain with the prefecture, not private entities.
• The operating company includes a Japanese firm as the majority shareholder (51%).
• July 15, 2025: Miyagi submitted a protest letter demanding an apology and correction by July 19.
• Kamiya responded, stating he had not reviewed the protest and would investigate further.
Summary
Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai strongly refuted claims made by Sanseitō leader Sohei Kamiya regarding the privatization of the prefecture’s water services. Kamiya alleged during a July 13 speech in Sendai that Miyagi sold its water operations to foreign companies, which Murai labeled as “false information.” The governor clarified that while water operations were privatized three years ago to cut costs, ownership and responsibility remain with the prefecture. The operating company is majority-owned by a Japanese firm, not foreign entities. Miyagi submitted a formal protest on July 15, demanding an apology and correction by July 19. Kamiya stated he had not reviewed the protest but would investigate the matter further. The controversy highlights the sensitivity surrounding public resource management and misinformation during election periods.
