Key Facts
• January 2025: Governor Suzuki expressed financial crisis concerns at the New Year ceremony.
• March 2025: Shizuoka’s new baseball stadium costs increased by ¥8 billion to ¥45 billion.
• March 2025: Central Library relocation funding fell ¥10 billion short of expectations.
• October 2025: Vice Governor Hiraki announced a ¥64 billion budget shortfall.
• Governor Suzuki and officials cut salaries to reduce the deficit to ¥52.6 billion.
• December 16, 2025: Former governor’s residence, built in 1988 for ¥120 million, to be auctioned.
• Property details: 1,400 m² land, 330 m² building, minimum bid set at ¥314.15 million.
• The residence includes a tea room, reception room, and a large kitchen.
• Sale aims to alleviate Shizuoka’s financial crisis.
Summary
Shizuoka Prefecture is grappling with a severe financial crisis, with a budget shortfall of ¥64 billion in 2025. Governor Suzuki and officials have implemented salary cuts, reducing the deficit to ¥52.6 billion. Key projects, including a new baseball stadium and library relocation, faced significant cost overruns and funding shortfalls. To address the crisis, the prefecture decided to sell the former governor’s residence, a 37-year-old property valued at ¥314.15 million, through a public auction on December 16, 2025. The sale is part of broader efforts to stabilize the prefecture’s finances.
