Tokyo governor apologises again for spending on luxury hotels, pajamas

Stop the empty apologies and start to pay that money back from your own pocket.

Enough with the apologies, just get on with the seppuku (figuratively speaking here) and leave!

How does he keep his job? He's a liar and a thief. Although, I guess they are the standard attributes to become a Japanese politician.

"I apologize to the people of Tokyo from the bottom of your pockets ... er ... heart I meant!"

This need to be in the CRIME section as what this guy has done is steal from the people an lie through his teeth about it.No apologies needed a criminal investigation is in order and some jail time for ripping off the taxpayers!

Isn't it time to step down?

No, because he won't receive the full pension if he quits. He's desperate for money and entirely shameless, hence the refusal to fall on his sword.

I'm surprised that Japanese law allows him to stay in office after this affair. This is a crime, isn't it?

Sounds like that guy needs to go to jail

The French-speaking Masuzoe, a former health and labor minister, member of parliament, faculty member at elite Tokyo University and frequent political commentator, pledged an administration free of money scandals.

What difference does it make, in an article about the abuse of public and political funding, that he speaks French? Unless the intent is to further increase the "image" of his arrogance and aloofness at being able to speak a foreign language and make the people jealous.

Out out out damned spot

When was the last time a Tokyo governor didn't cause problems?

Masuzoe spending our money like there's no tomorrow. I

nose also had his hands in the cookie jar.

Blinky Ishihara unnecessarily getting involved with the Senkakus.

Masuzoe needs to learn, as his buddy Abe does, that bowing and scraping and mouthing the words doesn't solve the problem, it just makes people even more angry.

Why the double standards?

The guy is a criminal. He stole public funds. He should be arrested, tried and an appropriate punishment meted out.

Make him pay it back, with interest as well as hefty penalties. Then try him for theft, embezzlement, misappropriation and have him removed from office along with with any pension entitlements. Maybe then they will learn.

I can dream I suppose....

Isn't it time to step down?

"I apologise from the heart of my bottom!"

"It's regrettable that you caught me".

Many, many politicians world-wide engage in lavish spending unrelated to their office. What makes it seem worse in Japan is the fake bow and the "I'm so sorry" while the perpetrator remains in office. He should be dismissed and made to repay what he has stolen from public money, or face a stiff jail term. Japanese law in this regard lacks backbone.

Ishihara, the end of an error, & now, a new error in Governorship.

Forget the apologies. Jail time sounds more appropriate. Followed by heavy personal liability for the wasted funds.

When will Japanese voters learn that voting in these traditional politicians and proteges they will end up with the same corruption as before?

It sucks because all that will happen is that he'll either step down and re-emerge in a different post, or just get reprimanded.

You really have to blame the meek Japanese culture for this - if this scandal happened anywhere else, there'd be criminal charges and there is no way the public will let it go. But it's Japan, where corruption replaces corruption and nothing ever changes.

A quick bow and "sincere" apology, and all flaws are forgiven.

Just quit already and pay the money back.

Quit already, you have no credibility, you are sorry you were caught!

So, he swept into power after replacing a guy who had to resign due to money scandals, who replaced one of the most bigoted Japanese in history, and Masuzoe said in his campaign he would end money corruption, and now that he has been caught breaking his promise numerous times he still denies wrong doing and won't resign?

Why do Japanese people put up with this?

He sure makes the crying guy from Nishinomiya look like an amateur when it comes to stealing from the public.

Recently I read something very wise about the world we live in - paraphrasing

"The biggest problem is not that we can't feed the poor, the biggest problem is we can't make the rich full"

It's theft - how can he possibly expect to stay in office when he is a criminal?

It would be great if all the people calling for this governor to resign out of financial scandals, after the past governor got out after financial scandals, would realize that they are the same people who keep electing governors that cause financial scandals. Keep electing the same group of people to office, and then getting surprise when it turns out they are corrupt thieves. What a shock! Can you vote for someone else next time?

As long as Japan keeps letting it's politicians get away with an apology this kind of thing will keep happening (and to be honest is probably happening now with a hundred other people who are not in the news today).

I makes me angry that in these economically uncertain times the tax payers are being robbed by our elected leaders. As I see it the solution is long prison terms.

Masuzoe will not go to prison, he will never be charged with a crime. He is being pushed out either because he has offended someone among the powers-that-be which run the country, or his seat is being taken for a more appropriate puppet.

Masuzoe is not doing anything different than any other politician. The difference between politicians and business people is that business people cannot defraud investors out of money, and they are required by law to deliver the goods and services people pay for. Politicians defraud the taxpayers every day, and seldom provide the goods or services the taxpayers pay for without incurring a rather large loss.

If you want to be rich, you can try business, work hard, and earn money by selling things people value, or you can become a politician, let the other people work, and demand a cut of what they earn, and do nothing yourself but write laws to give you and your friends more, and leave the rest of us with less.

Masuzoe is also reported to have allegedly used political funds—which include donations from supporters as well as taxpayer money provided by the government—to buy a variety of items including men’s undershirts and children’s pajamas.

Curious, why buy such expensive children's PJ's? He must be a gracious GiGi to do so, or a very cheap one who wouldn't buy them unless someone else is paying for them.

Many Japanese salaried men are thinking how to steal money from companies. Various ways according to their positions. When I was a salaried man, I had a very stingy man in my room. He was a good saver. He never attended a get together which costed him money. He was not liked by co-workers. I was surprised to hear that he got off two train stations ahead the station every body got off to go to the company. He walked a long distance to the company taking him 40 minutes to the company. He bought a train pass two stations short than the company pays to him. In his age, he had a lot of money. He loaned the money to his father and it was not returned. He was complaining about it.

Buying children's pyjamas? Jesus, you'd think that's why he receives a salary - so that he can buy these knick-knacks with his own money.

Yeah, resign already. This excuse of a human being is disgusting in the way he treats women and tax-payers. In a civilized country, he'd be out already. But this guy and most other people in his position in Japan will be laughing all the way to the bank. However, I don't feel any bit of sympathy for the Japanese people who are letting themselves being walked over.

while reiterating that he has asked a lawyer to examine the way his political funds were used.

I love how Ichiro recently replied to a question regarding a streak of no-hits. "I am having a third-party carefully examine it." Even national stars playing overseas are poking fun at Masuzoe.

He needs to go to prison like manny said. If not this will keep continuing.

True. An example does need to be set. Time and again we have seen this kind of thing happen. Big bow, "sincere apology", all is forgiven. Cue a few months or so, another crooked official gets caught.......repeat.

Thieves aren't given the option to pay back money they stole and avoid arrest and court appearances in other walks of life. This man is a thief, who has helped himself to public money. He needs to be arrested, charged and prosecuted, just like other thieves would be.

Empty apology and a deep bow and he thinks he can just carry on as usual.

This guy has no integrity. If he wont jump he should be pushed.

There is a rumor that he once treated his colleague to McDonald's, but made him drive back to get a coupon first.

Aren't much of what they do obsolete now we have internet connectivity? Oh people still enjoy showmanship

This is simple.

1st. Jail time. 2nd. Give us our money back since you used our taxes. (Yes I know its probably .0002 yen per person, but it is the principle) 3rd. I don't care about your "sorry I got caught bow"

A week ago it was nothing but "I'll comment when the third-party investigation is complete" repeated ad nauseam. If he was truly sorry, the apology should came then. It's not even the usual "I'm sorry for getting caught," it's "I'm sorry for not being able to weasel out of it."

I can picture Masuzoe's arrogant shiny face and bald head as he pushes his way to the front of the line when they call for 1st class passengers to board. Disgusting behavior for sure.

I wonder how much duty free he spent with tax payer's monies also.

while reiterating that he has asked a lawyer to examine the way his political funds were used.

Rather he asked an expensive lawyer (probably paid on tax public money again) to analyse his case and find how to get out of this gate.

The French-speaking Masuzoe

So as a politician he must have heard about the crime of "Détournement de fonds publics". Perpetrators in France facing 10 years in jail AND 1 000 000 € fine, what about Japan ?

Pyjamas now? How much longer will this go on? Will he be apologising for his underwear next? Bravas lotion? Geta sandals? He should resign, and retire. That would be a real apology.

Manny

Spot on. This is really the crux of the problem. They just have to apologize and all will be forgiven.

He should resign, and retire. That would be a real apology

Here's the thing: This guy is a criminal. So he needs to go to prison. Lets assume he does the above. AND even returns the money. Then what? He'll just get an amakudari position in a private company and just cruise through life. He needs to go to prison like manny said. If not this will keep continuing.

I also blame the Japanese public. They don't hold their politicians' feet to the fire. People shoud be protesting outside this guy's office, demanding he resign, pay back the money, and face charges of embezzlement.

I see no problem unless he was using tax payers money, oh wait!

Tweeting about being in a spa when there's a paper trail that ties it to taxpayer only. Brilliant. "Chilling at a spa with taxpayer's money. #blessed #winning"

I'll believe his apology when he pays back the money even down to spending on his underwear. Otherwise, no deal.

Tip of the iceberg!

Tip if the iceberg? Must be new to Japan, this is nothing uncommon here in politics or business. More like one icicle about to melt and fall by the wayside, only to be replaced in time by another drip.

Yubaru JUN. 02, 2016 - 01:46PM JST this is nothing uncommon here in politics or business.

In a democratic system of government, this is uncommon? Shame on Japan.

Tokyo Gov. Masuzoe flying first-class and staying at up to $1,800-a-night suites in Europe and U.S. during official overseas trips. $1,800 Suites per night suite at the Conrad London St. James? That's nearly five times the maximum allowed for the prime minister and Tokyo governor for travel expenses under the law for civil servants. He was not aware of this? Mistaken? Masuzoe spent $24,400 flying first class?

Compare former London Mayor Boris Johnson and his staff spent $55,100 on a four-day visit to Japan in October, about one-tenth of Masozue's five-day mission to London and Paris last year. Johnson flew business class at one-fifth of Masuzoe's cost. His accommodation, $999 for four nights, less than the one-night room charge for Masuzoe. Why defend Masuzoe? He should resign. He don't care about the people in Tokyo.

Let me know when this guy cries hysterically, like that other politician.

Wow! This is all over the media. They (the media) have permission to report this? Who did he piss off?

@since1981 The taxpayers perhaps?

Were they red pajamas, yellow pajamas, and blue pajamas?

Yeah, resign already.

He should be fired immediately for the misuse of public money, we see what the business world does to anyone who fails, well not always. What people fail to realise the world over , that these politicians, whether they be Presidents, Prime ministers, mayor or what ever position they hold in government, they are just a public worker paid by the state. Except they seem to think they are above the laws, yet, except for the bureaucrats they are elected by we, the public to serve their posts in the best possible way to benefit their country and population that elected them. As we see worldwide their failures are catastrophic. Well thats my rant for the day over.

It is because of politician like this one that the Japan debt is spreading for nothing and we must raise consumption tax, they use public tax money like we use our own private wallet, this must stop. Only in Japan, a politician can publicly confessed money diversion, bow and stay, this is unacceptable. Since he agrees, why is the police not at his door ?

Most people would agree that a governor should be held up to a higher standard and should never be deceitful but unfortunately this governor is unwilling to tell the public the truth because it could hurt him politically. A lost of trust is difficult to regain especially when you get discovered lying and off course there are going to be costs to the liar. In other words when a person deceives beyond white lies and spends time making an effort justifying what they have done it's time to throw the towel in. You blew it governor.

politicians are still living in the bubble era while the people have been living with recession for the last 20 years. small wonder people are pissed off. and this is just the spending that they found out about. who knows what else he's hiding.

That was not an apology... he simply read a piece of paper.... no sign of remorse or what so ever!!

He should resign, I never liked him...never. He always seem to me so phony since the beginning.

And even more, if he is going to use public money and goods for his own... at least do in with some class... not even that. Cheap, cheap, cheap

It sucks because all that will happen is that he'll either step down and re-emerge in a different post, or just get reprimanded.

Reprimanded by whom?

No worries mate, Get over it, just leave the money on the fridge. No hard feelings, everyone stuff up. Just that you felt that you were entitled to all these luxuries. Big misunderstanding. I hope this little indiscretion have not stained your standing within the Japanese elite and that you do get all your generous retirement entitlements.

If you want to be rich, you can try business, work hard, and earn money by selling things people value, or you can become >>a politician, let the other people work, and demand a cut of what they earn, and do nothing yourself but write laws to give >>you and your friends more, and leave the rest of us with less.

Wonder how will be the country when everybody will be a politician.....

Tip of the iceberg! People... Power corrupts.... especially when no one is looking. Blame the Japanese Press too... they're in bed with the politicians. The Press and Politics need to be adversaries.

@Yubaru... not new at all... I've seen the crap perpetrated by domestics....

If you cancel the Olympics you can keep the 'jammies. Deal?

Normally that would be true. But Tokyo is due to host the 2020 Olympics, the costs are rising - and Mr Masuzoe has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It's just a bad time to be caught out really. Especially with a consumption tax increase on the cards as well. It's a time to be outwardly austere, not extravagant.

My bet is he's going to cling to his job till the end of his term and receive the full amount of his retirement pay.

Tokyo governor apologises again for spending on luxury hotels, pajamas

It's PYJAMAS.... arrrrggghhhh!!

Pajamas, PYJAMAS, PJ's.....what difference does it make?

If the Olympics wasn't on the way, this would be old news already. Be careful what you wish for Masuzoe

Enough of the apology howling , Masuzoe san. Give yourself the honor. Yamanote line? Not in rush hour, please.

This poor boy from KitaKyushu and coming from a depressed family environment now feels that taxpayers owe him.

Japanese politicians make the rules so of course the rules enable them to spend our money in crazy ways and get away without, at least as far as avoiding criminal conviction goes.

Enough to make u wanna open a bank account in Panama and avoid paying tax, init

Until the day that Japanese laws impose strict and swift penalties on such criminals as Masazoe, we can only expect that public office will continue to be plagued by such cancers. I wish Japanese would take a stand and protest in public about this ridiculous situation. I have heard many extremely angry comments by Japanese colleagues and friends toward Masazoe and hope that some positive action could come from this sentiment. In addition to being held accountable under the law, politicians should also be held financially accountable and stripped of all their personal assets. When Masazoe quits, an election needs to be held to choose the next governor. This will cost millions and millions. Since he is responsible, every Yen to his name must be used toward the cost.

Luxury pajamas? How on earth did he get elected governor of Tokyo?

Doesn't sound too much he spent. First class airfare is not specified for official trip? He spent these money to report to Tokyo later? There is no official airplane for Tokyo, I understand now. This case is not even MAEGARI case , I understand now ,in Japan,, if you are ordered to trip with the organization business, you have to use your money, not with expense account.

While jealousy people are making a fuss about Masuzoe on a small money, parliamentary politicians are meeting and dining at luxuary "ryotei" in Akasaka and other places.

.

not new at all... I've seen the crap perpetrated by domestics..

Then why the "newbie" comment?

Lucky since Meiji Ishii, Japan do not use traditional punishment. Only gainin here say apologizing is tradition. He will have to pay back and jail sentence follows.

Extent Masuzoe did are all Japanese salaried men practice and remember in their company lives. They are always thinking passing private expenses to company costs.

Maybe extravagance/swindling is more acceptable in France.

It's doubtful that he actually did anything illegal. Immoral maybe, but probably legal.

This waste of taxpayer funds is typical for government... this is just one case that suddenly attracted attention. Those who always offer "government" as the solution for all sorts of issues should take note.

This man is a thief, who has helped himself to public money.

Unfortunately, it probably wasn't illegal, and he probably was allowed to help himself in the manner that he did. That's how public service works.

Why do Japanese people put up with this?

How are you determining that Japanese people are putting up with this?

He seems innocent to me. So he flew first class. So what! He's the star of the show, so to speak - the mayor of the most heavily populated metropolis on the planet. What, is he supposed to stay in a regular room?

And so he brought 20 staff members with him. So what! Is that any different to how the Japanese do things in business - bring in a crew of 10 to replace a light bulb. And we don't know what the mayor's staff's roles were during the trip.

Do we know what the purpose of the trips were? Was it to streamline tourism? Etc.?

And as for the car thing, doesn't he have a car and driver provided 24/7? Is he supposed to drive himself to his villa? Is he that good of a driver?

As for the Keith Haring thing, sorry Mayor, you're on your own with that one.