Tokyo governor resigns over alleged pre-election scam

Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose bows at a press conference announcing his resignation on December 19.

Will there ever be a day that it will be announced that a high political office holder in Nigeria resigns his position? It baffles me when i read how some other nations' political office holders resigning from office even at the slightest allegation. 

Our leaders are known to sit and watch the people clamour for their resignation. Sometimes i feel they take delight in being accused publicly of their failures. 

This story below makes me wish i was from the state of Tokyo to give Inose a standing ovation for this single act of his. 

Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose announced his resignation Thursday after admitting he received money from a hospital operator prior to his election last year.

“I have confirmed my determination to resign as Tokyo Governor,” he said during a press conference after handing in his letter of resignation to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.

Inose admitted to receiving 50 million yen (U.S. $480,150) from Tokushukai, a hospital operator involved in vote-buying allegations.

“I should not have borrowed the money,” Inose said.

He said it was a personal loan and not in any way linked to his election campaign. He added that the money has already been returned.

“I have tried hard to demonstrate my accountability, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to clear away suspicions against me.”

The governor was seen to have played a crucial role in securing Tokyo’s successful bid to host the 2020 Olympics in September, The Japan Times reported.

“I don’t want to further interrupt the operations of the administration as Tokyo prepares for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics,” he said at the press conference.

“I offer a deep apology,” he said, bowing deeply.

It is likely that a special election will be arranged to choose Inose’s successor in the coming February, according to The Japan Times.