GrayChild
Member
I can't believe it! He can't keep getting away with it!
GINAN, Gifu Prefecture—Former Mayor Hideo Kojima has won a seat on the town assembly here despite resigning last March after being found guilty of nearly 100 documented instances of sexual misconduct against multiple female staff members.
After it was confirmed that he had secured second place, Kojima told reporters that, "It's the will of the people, reflecting their recognition of my efforts."
Sixteen candidates competed for 10 seats in the Ginan town assembly election whose results were announced Sept. 7.
Kojima, 75, had previously served on the town assembly before becoming mayor. Including by-elections, this race marks his eighth time winning a seat.
When asked about the sexual harassment issue, he refused to comment, saying, "No discussion on that. If you want to talk about it, the interview is over."
Kojima resigned as mayor in the middle of his first term in March 2024 after a third-party investigation committee's report identified 99 cases of sexual harassment. This included cases of Kojima groping women's buttocks.
The town released the written report in February 2024 after Kojima's actions came to light in May 2023.
According to the town, multiple staff members who were victims of his behavior still work there. With Kojima being elected, the town government faces the difficult situation of dealing with an elected official and protecting victims.
The report noted that some of the acts could amount to forcible indecency under the law, which is currently called "nonconsensual indecency."
It also stated that he intimidated some town government employees by using words such as "you're fired" or "you'll be demoted" on a daily basis, concluding that "there is no alternative to immediate resignation."
At the time, Kojima defended himself by explaining that the touching was intended to show his "gratitude" to employees. He also criticized the report, saying that it was "an investigation with a predetermined outcome."
After Kojima resigned as mayor in March last year, town assembly member Yuki Goto, 48, was elected in the subsequent mayoral election. She pledged to eradicate harassment in her campaign and became the first woman to serve as mayor in the town's history.
The town established a harassment prevention ordinance in March this year to prevent recurrences and includes provisions specifically about allegations made against a mayor. Under them, independent lawyers can establish a harassment countermeasures committee to deliberate the case.
It also approved and enacted another ordinance for situations where a town assembly member is harassing others or is a victim.
GINAN, Gifu Prefecture—Former Mayor Hideo Kojima has won a seat on the town assembly here despite resigning last March after being found guilty of nearly 100 documented instances of sexual misconduct against multiple female staff members.
After it was confirmed that he had secured second place, Kojima told reporters that, "It's the will of the people, reflecting their recognition of my efforts."
Sixteen candidates competed for 10 seats in the Ginan town assembly election whose results were announced Sept. 7.
Kojima, 75, had previously served on the town assembly before becoming mayor. Including by-elections, this race marks his eighth time winning a seat.
When asked about the sexual harassment issue, he refused to comment, saying, "No discussion on that. If you want to talk about it, the interview is over."
Kojima resigned as mayor in the middle of his first term in March 2024 after a third-party investigation committee's report identified 99 cases of sexual harassment. This included cases of Kojima groping women's buttocks.
The town released the written report in February 2024 after Kojima's actions came to light in May 2023.
According to the town, multiple staff members who were victims of his behavior still work there. With Kojima being elected, the town government faces the difficult situation of dealing with an elected official and protecting victims.
The report noted that some of the acts could amount to forcible indecency under the law, which is currently called "nonconsensual indecency."
It also stated that he intimidated some town government employees by using words such as "you're fired" or "you'll be demoted" on a daily basis, concluding that "there is no alternative to immediate resignation."
At the time, Kojima defended himself by explaining that the touching was intended to show his "gratitude" to employees. He also criticized the report, saying that it was "an investigation with a predetermined outcome."
After Kojima resigned as mayor in March last year, town assembly member Yuki Goto, 48, was elected in the subsequent mayoral election. She pledged to eradicate harassment in her campaign and became the first woman to serve as mayor in the town's history.
The town established a harassment prevention ordinance in March this year to prevent recurrences and includes provisions specifically about allegations made against a mayor. Under them, independent lawyers can establish a harassment countermeasures committee to deliberate the case.
It also approved and enacted another ordinance for situations where a town assembly member is harassing others or is a victim.
I almost fell for it
