Governor Ishihara misusing Tokyo government for his own personal benefit

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Governor Ishihara misusing Tokyo government for his own personal benefit
Akahata editorial

Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro has had his 40-year-old son be deeply engaged in the promotion of a Tokyo Metropolitan Government art project which Ishihara proudly describes as "a top-down project" by saying, "I came up with this idea."

This latest revelation by the Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly members group once again shows how seriously Ishihara is misusing the Tokyo Metropolitan Government policies for his own personal benefit.

500 million yen in tax revenues for Ishihara's project

The governor's fourth son, artist Ishihara Nobuhiro, who was appointed for only one month as an external council member of the project, visited Germany and France at the expense of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The Tokyo government paid 550,000 yen for his trip.

Ishihara's brainchild project, called Tokyo Wonder Site (TWS), is aimed at providing young artists with opportunities to exhibit their art works and interact with each other.

It was revealed, however, that Nobuhiro has been deeply involved in this project since its foundation. On the request of the JCP assembly members group, the Tokyo government released a document that stated that Ishihara Nobuhiro "took part in the establishment of the TWS."

Nobuhiro participated in the Public Art Summit held in New York as one of four Tokyo representatives. The government used his drawing as the original for stained glass in one of the TWS buildings.

The revelation has provoked strong public criticism of Ishihara. However, Ishihara at a press conference on November 24 said, "I use anybody who is talented."

Fairness is indispensable for administration. Government heads are clearly required to avoid having their family members or relatives involved in public programs that use tax money. Ishihara fails to meet even this minimum requirement.

Tokyo's commitment to the TWS stands out in its numerous cultural programs. While almost all cultural institutions are suffering from budget cuts under the Ishihara administration, only TWS enjoys such a rapid increase in the subsidies that jumped from 55 million yen in FY 2002 to 470 million yen in FY 2006.

The TWS has also been criticized as a public facility controlled by Ishihara's friends. Imamura Yusaku, who was appointed as Counselor on Special Issues to the Governor is Ishihara's close friend, serves as the TWS director, and his wife serves as the vice director.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government auditors in their 2004 report criticized TWS's irresponsible management that includes sudden changes in its activity plans without the Tokyo government approval.

Such problems, however, have not prevented the government from increasing the budgets for the TWS project. "For the promotion of arts" alone cannot explain this policy.

Public scrutiny needed

Public criticism has already been strong over Governor Ishihara's wasteful use of tax money for luxurious overseas trips. This latest revelation of the Ishihara family's involvement in public projects will further stir up Tokyo residents' anger.

A thorough investigation into Ishihara's despotic rule of the Tokyo metropolitan government must be conducted in order to hold him accountable.
- Akahata, November 26, 2006