Hachirogata Town Council Removes Unconscious Mayor Kikuo Hatakeyama by Unanimous Vote

Hachirogata, Japan – The town assembly of Hachirogata in north-east Japan has voted unanimously to remove its mayor, Kikuo Hatakeyama, 72, who has been unconscious for several months following a brain haemorrhage in February.

Mr Hatakeyama, who has served as mayor since 2008, will automatically lose his position on 19 May, following the passage of a no-confidence motion. This action was described as a difficult but administratively essential choice, according to the motion.

Japan’s national association of town and village assemblies indicates such a no-confidence motion due to illness is an infrequent occurrence. The decision was made after Mr Hatakeyama’s wife requested the assembly assess his capacity to continue in the role, suggesting resignation as the optimal path.

However, local regulations mandate that mayors must personally notify the assembly chair of their intention to resign. A resignation request submitted by family members was deemed invalid by the town government last month. Consequently, a no-confidence motion was adopted as the most expedient method for the mayor’s removal.

An election to determine Mr Hatakeyama’s successor is anticipated within 50 days. Hachirogata, located in Akita prefecture, has a population of approximately 5,000 people and relies economically on agriculture and commercial fishing within its extensive rice fields.