Key Facts
• On May 2025, a male employee in his 30s was given a pay cut.
• The disciplinary action stemmed from alleged confidentiality breaches during police investigations.
• Investigations involved public works projects in 2020 and 2022, suspected of bid-rigging.
• Kumamoto Prefecture Police conducted inquiries but did not file charges.
• The town’s review committee found no evidence of confidentiality breaches in three reports.
• Mayor Itsuyuki Maeda overruled the committee and imposed the disciplinary action.
• On September 16, 2025, the council questioned the mayor’s decision during a general session.
• Councilor Katsuji Kano initiated the discussion, questioning the mayor’s rationale.
• Councilor Kazuya Sakamoto criticized the mayor’s unilateral decision-making.
• A motion to establish a powerful investigative committee was rejected by a minority vote.
• This was the second rejection of such a motion, following a similar outcome in June 2025.
• Experts highlighted the need for objective, evidence-based disciplinary processes.
• The mayor proposed involving a third-party committee, including legal experts, for future cases.
Summary
A disciplinary action by Mayor Itsuyuki Maeda of Gyokuto Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, has caused significant controversy. The case involves a male employee accused of breaching confidentiality by providing internal information to police during investigations into suspected bid-rigging in public works projects. Despite the town’s review committee finding no evidence of wrongdoing in three separate reports, the mayor overruled their conclusions and imposed a pay cut. This decision has drawn criticism from council members, who questioned the mayor’s unilateral actions during a September 16, 2025, council session. A motion to establish a powerful investigative committee was rejected for the second time this year. Experts have emphasized the importance of evidence-based and impartial disciplinary processes. The mayor has suggested involving a third-party committee for future cases to ensure fairness and transparency.
