Reelected Hyogo governor vows to serve with a ‘humble heart’

Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito kicked off his second term on Tuesday after winning Sunday’s gubernatorial election in the prefecture.
The 47-year-old arrived at the prefectural government headquarters in Kobe, Hyogo’s capital, for the first time in more than a month. He had been effectively ousted from the governor’s office by a no-confidence vote in the prefectural assembly over his alleged workplace harassment and other problematic behavior.
At a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Saito apologized for “worrying the residents of the prefecture” over the scandal. “I will do my best with a humble heart, together with prefectural employees,” he said.

Asked about the spread of misinformation and slander on social media during the election campaign, Saito said he “did not have enough time to pay attention as I focused on campaigning on the streets.”
“It is important to use social media calmly,” the governor noted. He indicated that the prefecture will consider an ordinance against slander on social media.
Meanwhile, Saito stressed that he “will sincerely respond” to an investigation into the scandal by a special committee of the prefectural assembly. But he added that it will be difficult for him to attend a hearing of the committee on Monday because he will be in Tokyo for a National Governors’ Association meeting.