Shibuya Ward Assembly Passes Resolution of Censure Against Council Member

The Shibuya Ward Assembly of Tokyo has passed a resolution of censure against ward assemblyman Nenjin Horikiri of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Shibuya Council Members Group. The reason for the censure was that he had written in his election bulletin and on social media about the ward’s former superintendent of education, Toshiko Igarashi, that she had condoned bullying, and that he had “taken up false information and repeatedly criticized school staff.”

Mayor Demands “Stern Action” from Ward Chairman

The resolution was initiated when Mayor Ken Hasebe, who appointed the former Superintendent of Education Igarashi, called on ward council president Maruyama Takashi to take strict action. Ward council member Horikiri and his faction have reacted negatively, claiming that this “undermines the independence of the assembly.”

Shibuya Ward Office

Former Superintendent Igarashi was the principal of an elementary school in Machida, Tokyo, before assuming his new position as ward superintendent in April 2021. During his term as principal, in November 2020, a sixth-grade student at the school committed suicide, leaving behind a note complaining of bullying.

In last year’s ward assembly election, in which Horikiri was elected for a fourth term, he wrote in his election bulletin, “I will replace the superintendent of education who ignored bullying in his previous position.” He also posted on social media that the former superintendent of education, Igarashi, “left the bullying problem unattended.”

Bullying was Recognized, but the School did not Acknowledge that it was Illegal or Unjust

In February of this year, a third-party committee in Machida City released a reinvestigation report acknowledging the existence of bullying, but stating that there were other factors that led to the student’s death. While stating that “if the school had been run in a safe and secure manner, the suicide may have been prevented,” it said it had not found any illegal or improper conduct on the part of the school.

In response to the report, Mayor Hasebe submitted a request to the ward chairman in August, asking for strict action against Horikiri, claiming that he had “spread unfounded information and caused human rights violations.” The secretaries-general of four factions in the ward assembly proposed a resolution of censure, which was passed with a majority of 19 in favor and 9 against.

Horikiri Ward Council Member: “This Statement is Based on Facts Heard from Those Involved”

Mayor Hasebe commented, “I respect the wise decision of the ward assembly.” Meanwhile, ward assembly member Horikiri said, “The remarks were based on facts, having spoken to relatives of the bereaved families and lawyers, so I can only say that they are unjust. It will also discourage assembly members.”

Professor Toshiaki Eto of Taisho University pointed out that the mayor had asked the assembly to take action, saying, “The mayor has the power to appoint the superintendent of education, and it is possible that there are cases where the facts are far removed.” On the other hand, he said that the mayor’s failure to inform the assembly of a child’s suicide while the previous superintendent was a school principal at the time of his appointment “may have been a moral problem.”